ICPC to Review 2016 Personnel Vote of MDAs for Unspent Balances

Bennett Oghifo

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it will conduct system study and review of the 2016 Personnel Vote of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to ensure they conformed with existing regulations regarding unspent balances.

A statement from the commission, yesterday, signed by its Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, said: “The commission will be carrying out another System Study and Review of the 2016 Personnel Vote to ensure total compliance with Section 16 of the Finance (Control and Management) Act, LFN, 1990 and the Financial Regulations regarding unspent balances in line with the extant rules and regulations.”

The commission, the statement said, earlier conducted a System Study and Review on the utilisation of the 2012 Personnel Vote of some MDAs.

Nta said: “Observable lapses were highlighted and recoveries of about N9 billion effected from the various MDAs.”
He advised all MDAs “not presently captured on the IPPIS platform to submit the receipt and expenditure profiles of their personnel cost to reach the commission not later than December 20, 2016. For avoidance of doubt, the personnel vote is strictly for the payment of salaries and allowances for government employees only, as specified in the 2016 Appropriation Act. It does not cover Sallah/Christmas bonuses, “13th month” salaries, arrears of promotions, etc.”

Nta said: “All unspent balances should be returned to the sub-treasury of the federation by December 31, 2016. The commission will commence verification of the returns made to the sub-treasury by January 2016.”
He said letters have been sent to the various MDAs for strict compliance and to note that any infractions would be prosecuted.