By Okey Ndiribe

ABUJA—House of Representatives, weekend, summoned the Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, Jonas Otunla over a revenue shortfall of N81.9 billion.

The AGF had been directed to appear before the Public Accounts committee of the House within two weeks.

Jonas Otunla

The committee also summoned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, Permanent Secretary in charge of Ecological Fund in the Presidency, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and the Director of Finance in the Office of the SGF, over the management of the Ecological Fund from since 2003.

Chairman of the Committee, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, told newsmen that the Accountant-General was needed to shed light on the huge shortage in the accruable revenue to the Federation in 2006.

He said the SGF and others invited along with him were to participate in a broad forum that would examine the use of the Ecological Funds.

He said the Accountant-General, who was to have appeared before on Thursday last week failed to show up.

Adeola said: “The Accountant-General was reminded of the need to appear unfailingly, alongside all the concerned agencies in relation to pending issues in year 2006, particularly, the Director-General, Budget Office and Revenue Agencies, responsible for the revenue shortfall amounting to N81,904,469,177.27.

“The Accountant-General is also to ensure that all the agencies appearing alongside with him should provide all the necessary documents in relation to the issue they are appearing on, to facilitate smooth examination and disposal of such issues.”

On why the committee was beaming its searchlight on the Ecological Funds, he said: “The Auditor-General complained of non-specific reflection of special funds in the Financial Statements, especially statements of assets and liabilities.

“The Accountant-General has, therefore, been directed to furnish the committee with detailed documentation in relation to the FG’s share of derivation and Ecological Account, Stabilisation Account and 3 percent Development of Natural Resources account from 2003 to date.

“They must state clearly the monthly receipts, sources, disbursement made therefrom, list of beneficiaries, and balance available.”

The lawmaker said the committee was also probing how the Police Reward Fund amounting to over N306 billion was managed.

He noted that the managers of the Police Reward Fund have refused to honour invitations sent to them to appear before the committee. In view of this, the committee had written its report on then Police Reward Fund.

He did not say what manner of sanction the committee recommended.

Adeola added that the committee was also interested in seeing a copy of the Presidential Modification Order that conferred the powers to manage the Stabilisation Account on the President.