The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has urged ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to ensure transparency and accountability in their activities for the overall development of the state.

Solomon Akwashiki, the chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, made the call when the committee visited the state Liaison Office in Abuja to assess its 2023 budget performance on Thursday.

Mr Akwashiki, the minority whip of the House, emphasised that the visit was not to witch-hunt anyone but to see how the committee could support the Liaison Office and the state government in addressing their challenges.

“It was on Monday, October 16, 2023, that the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, advised the House standing committees to embark on oversight functions.

“As the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has empowered us to oversee the activities of MDAs, we are here to assess your 2023 budget performance,” said the chairman.

He urged the management of the Liaison Office to keep adequate records of Nasarawa state government properties in Abuja.

“We want you to take proper records of our properties in Area 11 Garki and other places in Abuja,” he said.

The committee chairman assured the committee’s readiness to review the budget of the Liaison Office upward for effective service delivery.

“We want to assure you that we will partner and support you to see how we can review your Liaison Office budget upward so that you can have a reasonable amount for the activities of this office to be implemented successfully,” he said.

Earlier, Zaka Yakubu, the permanent secretary of the Nasarawa State Liaison Office in Abuja, appreciated the committee for supporting its activities to succeed.

“We want to assure you of our maximum support and cooperation to enable your committee to succeed in overseeing our activities. Nasarawa state belongs to all of us, and we need to work together to develop the state,” the permanent secretary said.

Mr Yakubu assured of his determination to ensure transparency and accountability in their activities.

(NAN)