…set to probe Auditor General’s findings as lawmakers push for stronger oversight powers
By Gloria Ikibah
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the ECOWAS Parliament has announced plans to begin public hearings on audit reports submitted by the Community’s Auditor General as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and financial accountability within regional institutions. 
The committee’s First Rapporteur, Senator Osita Izunaso, disclosed the development after the conclusion of a three-day capacity-building workshop for PAC members in Accra, Ghana.
Izunaso commended committee members for their commitment throughout the training programme, noting that participation remained high despite the meeting being held away from the Parliament’s headquarters.
He explained that the timing of the committee’s inaugural public hearing will depend on when the Auditor General formally submits the relevant reports for review.
Reflecting on discussions during the workshop, Izunaso said members examined the structures and powers of several regional legislative bodies, including the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the ECOWAS Parliament.
According to him, the comparative review revealed that the European Parliament remains the only regional legislature with full autonomy.
He said: “Our powers are limited in terms of enforcement and implementation.
“We are looking at how to expand these issues, and one of the things we were told to do is to conduct oversight and hold public hearings.”
Izunaso said that audit reviews often involve sensitive findings, with auditors sometimes preferring not to be publicly identified when irregularities are uncovered. For that reason, he stressed the importance of ensuring audit reports are fully prepared and available before committee deliberations begin.
To strengthen its effectiveness and ensure continuity in its work, the committee has resolved to hold meetings on a more regular basis.
He further disclosed that recommendations and findings arising from the committee’s activities would be presented to the ECOWAS Parliament during its Second Ordinary Session scheduled to hold in Abuja, where the full assembly will take a final position on the matters raised.
The planned public hearings are expected to mark a significant step in the committee’s efforts to reinforce financial oversight and improve accountability across ECOWAS institutions.
