Unpaid gratuity-Bauchi Auditor General urges govt to act

By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Auditor General has called on the government to offset the unpaid gratuity owed to retired civil servants in state, saying that the government should act before it becomes a menace.

This was contained in the State Auditor -General’s Annual Report for the Year 2022 submitted to the State House of Assembly through the Clerk of the House in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

“The total amount of unpaid gratuity due to retirees is gradually alarming. Total unpaid gratuity due to retirees as at 31th 2022, stands at N28,058,733,849.20 (State Government),” according to the office of the Account-General.

Overseer of the Office as of the time of the report, Munkaila Y. Abubakar wrote that,”It is time for the attention of the government to be settling this amount before it becomes a menace. Settling this also alleviate the sufferings and hardship of the retirees.”

In his introduction, the Overseer of the Office wrote that: “The Accounts of Bauchi State Government for the year December, 2022 has been audited in accordance with the Section 125(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Nigeria 1999 as amended, Section 13 and 18 of the Bauchi State Public Sector Audit and Other Related Matters Law, 202.”

“It involved the inspection of all records and accounts kept by Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the Financial Statement by the Accountant General,” he further wrote.

“My comments and observations on the audit of the financial are detailed in parts one, two and three while significant queries arising from the inspection report of MDAs which are resolved are summarized in part four of this document,” the report stated.

“The Statements of Accounts were received from the Office of the Accountant General on the 15th of March, 2023 vide MOF/OFF/S/362/ dated 14th of March, 2023 in line with the provision of Section 125(5) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of as amended.”

“At the Governance is Financial Reporting of the transactions, economic phenomenon that transpired in the course of a report. The International Public Sector Accounting Standard globally adjudged as embodying principles, rules, practice conventions that are objective, transparent and replete with.”

“Therefore, Government should invest in training people and retaining of staff for effective and efficient service delivery,” he said.

Munkaila Abubakar explained that the Financial Activities of Bauchi State are compiled by the Accountant – General as contained in his report together with the Financial report For the year ended 31st December, 2022.

According to him,”These document review the financial effort and outcome of the government in it, match the objectives of financial management with the governance.”

He said “Section 18 of the Bauchi State Public Sector Audit Related Matters Law, 2021 enjoins the Accountant General to present to the Auditor General the Accounts and Financial position at the last day of the financial year, the Consolidated Revenue Funds.”

“These accounts are to be audited and certified by the Auditor General in accordance with Section 125(28) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended,” he said.

Section 120 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic 1999 as amended states that all revenue received by government, except those specially provided to be treated.

The letter with AGM.I/VOL.VI/70 was 31st May, 2023 Date and addressed to the Clerk of the House, Bauchi State House of Assembly, State Assembly Complex, Gombe Road, Bauchi titled:

‘Submission of Annual Report of the State Auditor – General Bauchi on the Accounts of the Government of Bauchi State for the Year ended 31st December, 2022.

It reads: “In accordance with Section 125(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and Section 13 & 18 of Bauchi State Public Sector Audit and Other Related Matters Law, 2021, I submit to the Bauchi State House of Assembly, copies of the report on the Accounts of the Government of Bauchi State for the year ended 31 December, 2022.”

On the clearance of the previous report, the Overseer wrote that,”I am indebted to applaud the effort of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) who, in its wisdom, took a bold step and consideration of the observations in Auditor General’s Report for 2020.”

“This have a positive impact in Public Finance Policies and Adr reiterate that the 2021 and 2022 Auditor Genera considered for positive result towards accountability and t the Public Financial Management.

observations in Auditor General’s Report for 2020. They have a positive impact in Public Finance Policies and Administration. I reiterate that the 2021 and 2022 Auditor General’s reports be considered for positive result towards accountability and the Public Financial Management.”

Meanwhile, efforts to reach the State Head of Service to respond proved as he did not pick his calls when called on his phone.