The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has directed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to submit its outstanding audited financial statements and fully comply with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), 2007, expressing concern over the Service’s failure to file its audited accounts since 2019.
According to an official signed statement by the Deputy Director, Strategic Communication Directorate, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Bede Anyanwu, the Acting Executive Chairman of the Commission, Barrister Charles Abana, gave the directive while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Customs Service at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The statement said Barrister Abana described the non-submission of the audited financial statements as a violation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and urged the Service to immediately regularise its compliance with the law.
He also called on the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure the timely remittance of its operating surplus into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) as stipulated under the Act.
According to the statement, the Acting Executive Chairman urged the Service to strengthen its revenue generation efforts while maintaining transparency, prudence and accountability in the management of public resources.
Barrister Abana noted that the continued non-compliance of some government agencies with the Fiscal Responsibility Act has adversely affected the Federal Government’s fiscal management and overall financial operations.
He explained that the Commission’s operating surplus computation template is clear and easy to implement, adding that agencies that comply with the framework contribute significantly to Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability and economic development.
The Acting Executive Chairman cited the Nigeria Immigration Service as an example of improved compliance following the Commission’s capacity-building programme on the implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, encouraging the Nigeria Customs Service to adopt a similar approach.
He further assured the Customs delegation of the Commission’s readiness to provide technical support and professional guidance to facilitate full compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to sustaining cordial institutional collaboration in promoting fiscal discipline and accountability.
Responding on behalf of the delegation, the Comptroller of Accounts of the Nigeria Customs Service, Amedu O., attributed the delay in submitting the audited financial statements to communication gaps.
He assured the Commission that the Service would take immediate steps to submit the outstanding audited accounts, comply with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and work closely with the Commission to reconcile its submissions using the approved operating surplus computation template.
The meeting ended with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration in promoting transparency, accountability and prudent financial management across Nigeria’s public sector.
