OAGF Backs Enforcement of Guidelines for Constituency Projects
By Patience Ikpeme
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has pledged its full support towards the enforcement of government-approved guidelines and circulars governing constituency projects, as part of efforts to promote accountability, transparency, and value for money in public spending.
The commitment was made by the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Babatunde Ogunjimi, during a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, held in Abuja.
During the meeting, Mr. Ogunjimi disclosed that the OAGF would treat compliance with existing guidelines as a mandatory requirement for the processing of all constituency project-related payments.
According to him, the guidelines would not only form the basis for financial reviews but would also be actively promoted in all stakeholder engagements coordinated by the OAGF.
He stated that the Ministry of Special Duties would be invited to participate and make presentations at these forums to raise awareness and deepen inter-agency cooperation.
In a bid to institutionalize accountability, Mr. Ogunjimi stated that existing OAGF circulars on project closure and capital expenditure would place strong emphasis on the proper execution and verification of constituency projects. He explained that payments for projects would henceforth be tied to strict compliance with standards laid out by the Federal Government.
Responding to growing concerns over non-compliance, Mr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu warned that constituency projects that fail to meet approved implementation and verification standards must not receive government funding.
He raised concerns that despite clear-cut guidelines issued by his Ministry, many government agencies had implemented and paid for projects without following due process or receiving certification from the designated authority.
According to Mr. Ihemelandu, such practices result in poor value for public funds and undermine the original purpose of constituency development initiatives. He called for closer synergy between the Ministry and the OAGF to create an enforcement framework that ensures no payment is processed until a project is verified and certified by his Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary stated that the Ministry of Special Duties has already developed verification and validation mechanisms aimed at ensuring every project funded under the constituency development scheme aligns with national standards and the principles of good governance. He noted that the collaboration with the OAGF would allow these standards to be embedded within financial control systems, making compliance non-negotiable.
