Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, the Accountant General of the Federation(AGF), has clarified his remarks on a six-month ultimatum to the World Bank over loan disbursement.
Ogunjimi in a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, said the remarks were made in the context of encouraging timely consideration and processing of no-objection requests.
The statement explained that the facilities being accessed by Nigeria are loans and not grants and therefore require efficient processing to ensure that projects tied to such facilities are implemented within planned timelines and fiscal cycles.
“At no point did the AGF issue a threat or ultimatum to the World Bank. Rather, he underscored the importance of stronger collaboration, mutual understanding, and timely and favourable consideration in the processing of no-objection requests by the OAGF to the World Bank when such requests are made by the OAGF for the deployment of project accountants, assistant project accountants, and project internal auditors from the Treasury for all federal government World Bank-funded projects that have a duration of more than six months before the project closure.
“The OAGF remains committed to maintaining a cordial and productive relationship with the World Bank and other development partners in advancing transparency, accountability and effective public financial management in Nigeria,” the statement read.
