President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Muhammed Sani-Omolori have agreed to make a full disclosure of the accounts of the National Assembly in few days, LEADERSHIP learnt yesterday.
The helmsmen of the National Assembly and the management of the National Assembly, according to a statement issued by the Office of the Clerk yesterday, will also draw a special “Financial Manual” for the lawmaking body.
The national assembly management said it was reacting to demands of the public for transparency in the financial affairs of the National Assembly.
“Against the backdrop of persistent outcry by the public and some legislators to disclose their wages, salaries and allowances, efforts in this regard, appears to be gaining acceptance by the leadership of the National Assembly.
“Realising the importance and need in line with the current administration’s drive and focus of President Muhammadu Buhari,
Management of the National Assembly, it is proposing certain fiscal and monetary disciplinary measures to bring about prudent and transparent approach to expenditure of legislators and bureaucrats”.
To address the issue of national assembly budget, the national assembly is proposing the streamlining the running cost for constituency spending with the need for the institution to be on a first-line charge(financial independence).The National Assembly still falls under the Charts of Account developed by the Presidency.
The Statement from the office of the Clerk, also disclosed that “The management is proposing an Account Manual that would tally with the needs of the National Assembly.
The National Assembly according to the statement, also plans to introduce a clause to be included into the Procurement Act currently being amended to henceforth allow the National Assembly and the Judiciary to develop and operate their own procurement Manual.
The president of the Senate and the Speaker, according to the statement would transmit the Financial Changes to both the Accountant General of the Federation and the Auditor General of the Federation for their guidance and implementation.
Besides persisting pressure on the National Assembly to disclose its accounts, its suspended member, Hon. Abdulmumuni Jibrin has also called on the House of Representatives to be transparent.
source: leadershipnews
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