THE September 15 ultimatum for all federal government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to comply with the implementation of the Treasury Single Account, TSA, remains sacrosanct, the Accountant- General of the Federation, AGF, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, has said.

Idris,  in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, said there is no truth in reports that the deadline would be extended. According to him, “the September 15, 2015 deadline for the closure of all accounts of Federal Government MDAs with commercials banks is realistic, achievable and will not be shifted forward.

“This is to correct speculations making rounds in some quarters of the media that the deadline may not be feasible.” The AGF emphasized that the Implementation Guidelines have been developed and would soon be made available to all interested parties and the public.

He said that his office would continue to provide all necessary information and technical support to all MDAs, banks and the public to ensure a smooth and transparent implementation of the TSA and e-collection policy, in line with its statutory mandate and directives by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Danladi Kifasi, had in a circular dated September 4, 2015, set the ultimatum. The circular titled “Re: Introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA) (e-Collection of Government Receipts)” made it clear that any chief accounting officer who failed to comply would face sanctions.

The circular No. HCSF/428/S.1/125, read:  “Further to the Circular Ref. No. HCSF/428/S.1/120 of 7th August 2015 on the above subject matter, it has been observed that a number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government are yet to comply with the directive therein.’’

“In this regard, His Excellency Mr. President has directed that all MDAs are to comply with the instructions on the Treasury Single Account (TSA) unfailingly by Tuesday, 15th September, 2015.” A dissatisfied Mr. Kifasi observed that President Buhari had given the directive for the TSA with effect from August 7, 2015 but that most MDAs are yet to comply.

In line with the TSA policy, all receipts due to the Federal Government or any of her agencies shall be paid into a common account: Accountant- General (Federal Sub-Treasury), Account No. 3000002095 maintained with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, except otherwise expressly approved.