The Senate Committee on Public Account on Thursday queried the Ministry of Environment over the alleged missing of fifty-five vehicles from the ministry.
The committee chaired by Senator Mathew Urhoghide (PDP – Edo South) launched the probe following the 2018 Auditor-General Report.
The query reads, “Audit observed that 55 vehicles were not presented for physical inspection, all efforts to inspect and confirm their existence proved abortive and the exact location of these vehicles could not be ascertained.
“We are aware that some officers take ministry vehicles away with them when going on transfer or retirement.
“The audit further observed that the motor vehicles Logbooks had not been updated, making it difficult to track the movement of these vehicles and track their record of maintenance. It is also noted that some official vehicles carry private plate number and registered number.
“The above anomalies are because of failure on the part of the management to ensure proper record keeping due process in the Ministry.
“Government vehicles may be diverted for private use unauthorized journey may be undertaken due to lack of adherence to internal control system put in place.
“No response was received from the management on our report.
“The permanent secretary should account for the 55 vehicles not presented during the audit. He should also be sanctioned in accordance with the provision of FR3129.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abel Olumuyiwa, however, failed to defend the allegation. His efforts to present some vehicles as part of the alleged missing vehicles was rejected because the vehicles do not have chassis number. The committee, therefore, sustained the query of the Auditor General against the Ministry of Environment.
