Nigerian Government on Friday banned ministries, departments and agencies from transacting business with companies and other corporate bodies that are not duly registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission.
A circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said that the measure was aimed at protecting the MDAs from entering contractual obligations with fake or unregistered companies.
This is even as the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, warned that payments for contracts by companies that did not comply with the requirements might not be considered.
A statement from the Ministry of Finance issued by the Director of Information, Mr. Salisu Dambatta, explained that for companies and other corporate bodies to qualify for business transactions with the MDAs, their letterhead must bear the ‘Registration Number’ as issued by the CAC.
It added that the letterhead must have contact telephone numbers, valid e-mail address and official company address as well as the names and nationalities of the directors of the company at the bottom of the page.
“This is to ensure transparency in the dealings of government with corporate entities and to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act,” it stated.
To strengthen the enforcement of the circular, Adeosun was said to have asked the Accountant-General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, to ensure that all directors of finance and accounts in the MDAs strictly complied with its contents.