The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has declared it will no longer process payments for constituency projects that fail to comply with Federal Government guidelines and circulars.

This announcement was made by the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Babatunde Ogunjimi, during a meeting with Mr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, in Abuja.

Ogunjimi emphasized the OAGF's commitment to supporting the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs in enforcing compliance with government regulations regarding constituency project execution and payment.

"We will give bite to these guidelines; we will ensure that these guidelines are projected adequately and that they become part of the prerequisite documentation for all constituency projects," the AGF stated.

He further revealed that the guidelines on constituency projects would be incorporated into all OAGF stakeholder engagements, with the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs being given opportunities to make presentations at such events.

The AGF also mentioned that OAGF circulars on closure and capital projects would emphasize compliance with constituency project guidelines. He advised the Ministry to continue engaging with relevant government agencies, stakeholders, and the National Assembly to increase awareness of these guidelines and circulars.

Earlier in the meeting, Permanent Secretary Ihemelandu requested that payments be withheld for constituency projects not executed according to Federal Government guidelines and not certified by his ministry.

Ihemelandu expressed concern that despite existing guidelines and circulars, many agencies have been executing and paying for constituency projects without proper adherence to regulations or verification. He noted that this practice prevents the government from obtaining maximum value for funds spent on these projects.

The Permanent Secretary called for collaboration between his ministry and the OAGF to ensure full implementation of the guidelines and to guarantee that payments for constituency projects are only made after verification by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

This development signals a stronger stance on accountability and transparency in the management of public funds allocated for constituency projects across Nigeria.