The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered the Federal Fire Service to return N1.4 billion released to the agency as COVID-19 intervention funds within seven days.
The committee chairman, Bamidele Salam, issued the directive after the Fire Service failed to appear before the committee for three consecutive invitations to answer questions about the funds’ utilisation.
Salam has instructed the agency’s accounting officer to deposit the funds owed to the federal government within seven days and present proof to the committee.
The committee, meanwhile, warned of potential sanctions as per constitutional and Public Service Rule provisions.
The committee mandated other agencies queried over their utilisations of the COVID-19 intervention funds, which include the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Accountant General of the Federation Office, Ministry of Health, and Women Affairs Ministry, to attend the next session with relevant documents to address the concerns.
