NASS Inaugurates Ad-Hoc Committee To Revive NAPAC For Enhanced Accountability

…….To Organise National Conference Of Public Accounts In First Quarter Of 2025

In a pivotal move to restore and revitalize the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC), the House of Representatives and Senate Public Accounts Committees today inaugurated an Ad-hoc Committee tasked with the revitalised of the association.

The event, which took place in the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, aims to breathe new life into the body, ensuring its active role in promoting accountability and good governance across Nigeria.

Rep. Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee, led the inauguration, stressed the urgency of revitalising NAPAC at a time when transparency and accountability are crucial for Nigeria’s development.

“Established in 2014, NAPAC brings together the Public Accounts Committees from the National Assembly and the 36 State Houses of Assembly, providing a platform for collaboration and the advancement of good governance practices.

However, in recent years, the association’s activities had become dormant, prompting the need for a strategic reinvigoration,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Rep. Salam outlined the dual mandate of the newly inaugurated Ad-hoc Committee: to revive NAPAC and ensure its proactive involvement in addressing Nigeria’s enduring challenges related to corruption, governance, and public accountability.

He also emphasized the importance of collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, civil society organizations, and the media.

“Today marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to transparency and good governance. The work of this Committee will be crucial in not only reviving NAPAC but also in transforming it into a dynamic force for tackling corruption and ensuring accountability in our public institutions.

“The Ad-hoc Committee will also seek to leverage regional and continental platforms, such as the African Organization of Public Accounts (AFROPAC) and the West African Association of Public Accounts (WAPAC), Southern African Development Community of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC), and several others for study exchanges, capacity-building, and experience sharing opportunities,” said Rep. Salam.

The inauguration of the Ad-hoc Committee was attended by key stakeholders, including members of the Senate and House Public Accounts Committees, civil society leaders, and the press.

Rep. Salam concluded his remarks by reaffirming the need for bold action and collective effort in revitalizing NAPAC, assuring full support to the committee in fulfilling its mandate.

In an exclusive interview, Rep. Salam further elaborated on the significance of this revitalization effort, highlighting that the long dormancy of NAPAC has negatively impacted Nigeria’s participation in global public accounts forums.

“Unfortunately, quite a long time now the association has gone moribund, and that has greatly impacted negatively our participation in public account committees of World Parliament. The public accounts committee is a constitutional committee, not just in Nigeria, but in most Commonwealth countries and many others worldwide. Nigeria, as one of the leading democracies in the world, cannot afford to be left behind,” Rep. Salam said.

He stressed that Nigeria’s lack of active involvement in regional bodies such as the West African Public Account Committees (WAPAC) and the African Public Accounts Committees (AFROPAC) had led to missed opportunities for collaboration and best practices sharing.

He underscored the necessity of reviving NAPAC to foster stronger engagement both nationally and internationally.

“We need to come together to revitalize the Nigerian body, which is made up of all public account committees from the State Houses of Assembly and National Assembly. Our goal is to deepen our engagement not only with ourselves but also with the key organs of government responsible for policy and accountability,” Rep. Salam continued.

“The Accountant General and Auditor General, at both the national and state levels, must work together in harmony to ensure that laws passed by the National Assembly to improve financial management are implemented, not just existing on paper.”

He also shared plans for a National Conference of Public Accounts Committees, scheduled for March next year, where delegates from across Nigeria and beyond will gather to discuss pressing issues related to accountability, auditing, and financial transparency.

“It’s high time we start networking amongst ourselves and with other bodies to ensure that all appropriated funds by the National Assembly are spent judiciously and efficiently.

As we speak, it’s only the 2021 report of the Auditor General that has been presented before the National Assembly, which is not in line with the constitutional expectations. We aim to catch up with the 2022 and 2023 reports next year, ensuring that Nigeria stays on par with other countries already reviewing the 2023 report of the Auditor General.”

Rep. Salam concluded that the goal is to increase productivity and strengthen governance institutions to ensure that public funds are utilized responsibly and effectively.

The six member Committee, which includes three members each from the House of Representatives and the Senate Public Accounts Committees, will be co-chaired by Hon. Jeremiah Umaru, Deputy Chairman of the House PAC, and Sen Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Vice Chairman of the Senate PAC.