The House of Representatives has raised the alarm over financial accountability in the National Growth and Knowledge Sharing (NG-CARES) programme, demanding a comprehensive audit and tougher oversight to safeguard its sustainability.
Speaking at the National Retreat of NG-CARES in Katsina State, Deputy Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and member representing Akwanga/Wamba/Nasarawa Eggon Federal Constituency, Hon. Jeremiah Umaru, insisted that transparency and strict auditing must be at the heart of the initiative.
“There must be a deliberate effort to ensure proper auditing and accountability,” Umaru said, stressing that both the House Committee on NG-CARES and state governments must intensify oversight to block misuse of funds.
He further suggested that private companies should be mandated to dedicate a portion of their profits, either pre- or post-tax, to NG-CARES projects. According to him, this model would guarantee clear budget lines for community-driven initiatives across all states.
Other participants at the retreat backed the lawmaker’s position, calling for stronger financial controls, capacity building for coordinators, inclusive sensitisation, and awareness campaigns to deepen participation. They also emphasised the importance of a community-driven development framework to complement the proposed audit measures.
Credit: Joe Goddy
