The Jigawa State House of Assembly has directed the state government to recover missing public funds and discipline officials found responsible for financial irregularities discovered in audited accounts covering 2019 to 2024.

The resolution followed the presentation of a report by the House Committee on Public Accounts during plenary in Dutse on Wednesday.

Chairman of the committee, Sani Isyaku, told lawmakers that the panel conducted a public hearing and a detailed review of the audited accounts of the Jigawa State Government and the 27 local government councils during the period under review.

He said the committee recommended that all unverifiable expenditures, overpayments, and unaccounted funds be recovered, while responsible officers should face sanctions in line with civil service rules and financial regulations.

According to him, the committee examined annual reports submitted by the Auditor-General for the State and the Auditor-General for Local Government Councils.

The review also covered financial statements, payment vouchers, contract records, and procurement documents from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as the 27 local councils.

“Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers, Directors of Administration and Finance, and other relevant officials were invited by the committee to respond to unresolved audit queries,” Isyaku said.

He added that local government chairmen, treasurers, Directors of Administration and General Services, and other officials also appeared before the committee.

The committee identified several issues in the state government’s records, including spending above approved budgets, weak procurement processes, and poor revenue generation.

For local governments, the findings included missing documentation, irregular and unauthorised payments, project execution concerns, and loss of official records.

“The committee identified cases of overpayments, unaccounted cheques, and unverifiable expenditures. In such cases, the committee recommended recovery of funds and disciplinary action against responsible officers,” he stated.

Isyaku blamed many of the problems on inadequate training of accounting officers, weak enforcement of financial regulations, and reliance on manual systems vulnerable to manipulation.

“These weaknesses undermine fiscal discipline, public trust, and effective service delivery,” he added.

To address the gaps, the committee recommended regular training for accountants and auditors, as well as stronger funding and operational independence for the Auditor-General’s office.

Speaker of the Assembly, Haruna Dangyatim, praised the committee for carrying out a thorough assignment and said the report would be forwarded to the executive arm for implementation.

The report was unanimously adopted by lawmakers through a voice vote.