By Danmaryam Zayamu
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has introduced rules that will guide the disbursement of funds accruing to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19.
This is in an effort to avoid misappropriation and outright embezzlement of the funds.
The Chairman of PTF, Boss Mustapha, according to the rules, shall not have approving powers, however, reconciliations of the accounts and books maintained shall be submitted to him monthly.
A statement signed by the ICPC spokesperson, Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa, in Abuja, yesterday, disclosed that the Bank Accounts Policy allows the Chairman of the PTF the discretion to designate bank accounts solely for the collection of funds and donations, as well as a specific bank account that receipts are swept into for expenditure whose signatories, though appointed by the Chairman, PTF shall not have approving powers.
Also, according to the rules, there is the Expenditures and Payments provision which requires payments to vendors, suppliers and ad-hoc staff to be mainly by bank transfer after they have made supplies or rendered service in order to leave trails.
“Furthermore, the responsibility for procurements rests on the shoulders of the Chairman, PTF and all such procurements are required to adhere to the provisions of Section 43 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 in the emergency period. Additionally, all post-COVID procurements must comply fully with the comprehensive provisions of the procurement law.
“The guidelines also require all cash advances to be subject to the Financial Regulations (FR) and Public Service Rules (PSR).
“Petty cash advances may be made to an officer for petty cash transactions as approved by the Chairman, PTF.
“Officials who receive such advances shall be personally accountable and financially liable for the custody and management of the advances.
“They must account for the advances at any given time and are to report weekly to the Chairman or as he may direct,” the statement said.
The anti corruption body also noted that the guidelines make useful and specific provisions to take care of approval thresholds, audit, monitoring and evaluation while encouraging the Task Force to “engage the active participation of individuals or groups outside the public sector to enhance accountability, transparency and promote public participation and contribution”.
This, the statement noted, is to ensure that information is made available to the public and for them to provide feedback through the ICPC toll-free telephone lines, email, social media platforms, etc. to eliminate the suspicion of corruption.
The guidelines, the ICPC said, shall not apply to donations and receipts from the private sector unless they are given to the Task Force to manage.
