“You are an endangered species” – House of Representatives to probe WAEC
It seems as though the problems of the education sector will get worse before it eventually gets better as news broke that the House of Representatives are set to probe the West African examination council (WAEC) on grounds of misappropriation of funds.
The committee on public accounts are said to be investigating huge amount of funds running into billions of naira.
To this end, the House Committee resolved to investigate the financial status, assets and expenditure of the council to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
The chairman, House Committee on Public Account Solomon Adeola who led the public hearing expressed his displeasure at the recent development in the West African education body, saying “I was not taken aback when I found your name on that list (of Auditor-General). I was not surprised. It is expected.”
Speaking further, he said, “If you know the amount of fraud accruing to WAEC day in, day out; year in, year
out and all that WAEC can tell Nigerians is that they only submitted their audited account up to 2010? And as a result of our insistence that made them rush down with 2011 and 2012 while 2013 is still awaiting the signature of the Council.”
“Aside from that, WAEC, all money accruing to you, you don’t report anything to the Federal Government, yet you still collect subventions like others. Money accruing to WAEC going to several billions of naira, and that same institution does not render account as at when due, even when state governments now pick up your bills for all schools? I’m not surprised.”
“You are an endangered species and we need to take care of you specially. So, it’s a special investigation to be conducted on WAEC. This committee is going to be investigating WAEC for 2011, 2012 and 2013. We’re not insinuating anything, but it’s only fair and proper that an institution like WAEC that is generating much revenue annually must account for how that revenue is spent,” Adeola added.
