The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has publicly called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to urgently explain the disappearance of N18.6 billion allegedly meant for the construction of the National Assembly Commission Office Complex.
The call follows disclosures in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 annual report revealing irregularities concerning the funds.SERAP is pressing the National Assembly leaders to disclose the identity and details of the so-called “fictitious construction company” that reportedly received the N18.6 billion payment.
The rights group demands transparency regarding the company’s directors, shareholders, and physical address. Furthermore, SERAP insists on an explanation for procedural lapses, citing breaches of the Procurement Act, including no needs assessment, absence of bidding advertisement, lack of contract agreement issuance, and missing bidders’ quotations prior to payment.
The organization also highlights an unexplained contract inflation by N6.9 billion, claimed to cover the conversion of a roof garden into office space, questioning why no approval was obtained for this significant budget revision and urging disclosure of the current state of the project’s implementation.
Therefore, SERAP’s demand underscores concerns over accountability and systemic corruption risks in the management of public funds by the country’s legislative leadership, emphasizing the need for urgent responses to restore public trust in the National Assembly’s stewardship of resources.
