Education

House of Representatives Questions WAEC Chief Over N5 Billion Calculator Purchase

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 14th, 2024.

House of Representatives Questions WAEC Chief Over N5 Billion Calculator Purchase

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies interrogated Josiah Dangut, the Head of National Office of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Nigeria, regarding a N6 billion deficit incurred by the agency in 2023. The inquiry also focused on a N5 billion loan WAEC took out in 2022 to purchase customized calculators.

Dangut appeared before the committee with several WAEC officials, including Registrar Angus Okeleze, Senior Deputy Registrar Victor Odu, Acting Director of Finance Segun Jerumeh, and a Deputy Director of Finance. While Dangut presented the agency’s cashbook, the committee rejected it, demanding the bank statements instead.

Dissatisfied with the responses provided, the committee has given WAEC one week to submit all its bank statements from 2018 to the present.

Committee member Awaji-Inombek Abiante criticized WAEC for its lack of cooperation, stressing the need for transparency. “WAEC Nigeria has been uncooperative, obscuring the value of the country’s investment. They must provide all bank account statements to facilitate this investigation,” Abiante stated.

The committee was frustrated by WAEC’s failure to provide seven out of eight requested documents, only submitting the nominal roll. They questioned how WAEC managed a revenue of N34 billion in 2023 while spending N40 billion, and how a N5 billion loan was approved despite the lack of ministerial board approval.

The panel also inquired about the number of students who took the 2022 exams for which the calculators were purchased. They demanded details on the expenditures contributing to the N6 billion deficit and all related correspondence.

Furthermore, the committee sought proof of the loan’s approval, due process for the contract award, and records of payments, including vouchers and bank statements. They also requested evidence of account submissions to the Auditor General from 2018 to 2023, as well as the profile and engagement letters of the external auditor for the past three years.

The committee raised concerns about WAEC’s alleged breach of financial and procurement regulations, particularly regarding the 50 percent advance payment for the N532 million contract to build its Taraba state office.

Dangut asked for additional time to provide the required documents, explaining that the advance payment was made to avoid potential cost increases due to inflation.

The committee chairman emphasized the constitutional obligation for cooperation from both the legislative body and WAEC, urging the timely submission of all necessary documents to progress the investigation.