The Federal
Government has launched an Asset Tracking and Management Project through which
would locate, identify, assess and evaluate all its moveable and immovable
assets.
The Minister
of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, said in a statement that a Central Asset Register
would be created to realise this objective.
The
statement was signed by Salisu Dambatta, Director of Information in the Ministry
of Finance.
The News
Agency of Nigeria recalls that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission,
ICPC, recently recovered 40 vehicles from some retired directors of the Federal
Ministry of Water Resources.
Similarly,
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, also announced the recovery
of 40 Sports Utility Vehicles from a retired Permanent Secretary who served in
the Federal Ministry of Power.
According to
Mrs. Adeosun, the register will be domiciled at the Federal Ministry of Finance
for recording the actual quantity, value, condition and location of all the
capital assets of the federal government.
“The Assets
Tracking and Management Project and the creation of the Assets Register were
new initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
“They are
designed to enhance accountability, promote transparency and deepen efficiency.
“The asset
tracking exercise and register will make planning and control easier and
improve accountability for assets.
“With the
increased allocation of capital expenditure to 30 per cent, it is important
that all asset are recorded and accounted for.
“Where
disposals occur, they must be in line with the laid down procedures and must be
transparent,” she said.
Mr. Adeosun
said the asset register would afford the government to know and monitor, in
real time, online information on the inventory of government assets.
She said a
project coordinator would be appointed for the immediate take-off of the Asset
Tracking and Management Project and the creation of the first Central Asset
Register for the federal government.
Mrs. Adeosun
said a circular had been dispatched to all Federal Ministries, Departments and
Agencies (MDAs) for accounting officers to actualise the objective.
She said the
circular directed accounting officers to prepare an inventory of all fixed
assets held as at December 31, 2016, to facilitate physical verification by the
project team.
“The
circular further requested all heads of MDAs to ensure that any assets held by
current and former staff are fully accounted for.
“In this
regard, you may find it necessary to contact any former staff or political
office holders to avail them the opportunity to return relevant assets in their
possession.
“All
inventory records submitted will be cross-checked to capital releases and
project account purchases to ensure completeness.
“Where
assets have been sold or otherwise disposed of, they must be recorded with
supporting authorisation for sale and evidence of payment, where applicable,”
she said.
According to
the minister, the ministry will look at the records of the asset disposed of
over the last five years.
She said
that all accounting officers of the MDAs were expected to submit reports not
later than three weeks from the date of receipt of the circular.
Adeosun said
that the initiative was in line with the International Public Sector Reporting
Standard (IPSAS) where government was expected to record its assets and
liabilities.
(Premium
Times)
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