The Auditor-General of Ebonyi State, Elder Samuel Udu has explained that it was the right of citizens to know how public funds are spent by government at all levels. He stated this at a two days Zonal multi Stakeholders Citizens Accountability Report meeting organized in Abakaliki by Nigeria Civil Society Situation room and DIG Foundation with support from United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO in collaboration with the office of the State Auditor-General.
The Auditor-General who observed that some Government owned Companies, Agencies and Parastatals in Ebonyi State have been warned against carrying out their financial auditing without recourse to the office of the State Auditor-General, explained that auditing Government expenditure was not to witch-hunt, but to ensure prudence and that it reflect the items contained in the approved budget.
Presenting the report of the Auditor-General on the consolidated financial statement of Ebonyi State Government for the year ended 31st December, 2023, Udu stated that the government owned companies and parastatals, including government tertiary institutions, statutory corporations, Commissions, Boards, Authorities Agencies and all persons established by Law in the State have been violating section 125(3) of the 1999 constitution which states that "the Auditor-General shall provide such bodies with a list of auditors qualified to be appointed by them as external auditors as well as a guideline on the level of fees to be paid to external auditors."
He said the implication is that the above named bodies shall not appoint any external auditors without obtaining a list of auditors qualified to be appointed by them from the State Auditor-General.
He adds that the law provides that such MDAs should ibtain a guideline on the level of fees to be paid to the external auditors from the State Auditor-General.
"They are to Submit both statutory and Management (domestic) reports to the Auditor-General for review and comments on their annual accounts and the auditor's report thereon," he stated .
The Auditor-General who reported a budget surplus in the statement noted that no Ministry, Agency or department spent more than her budgeted fund for the year 2023.
The report however, observed that there was a drop in internally generated revenue by 35.45% against year 2022.
"Internally generated revenue of Ebonyi state for the year ended 31st December, 2023 amounted to Fifteen billion, three hundred and fourteen million, nine hundred and nine thousand, three hundred and forty-four naira, six Kobo.
"This represents 85.31% of the IGR budget of N17, 951, 668, 000.00 for the year.
"Against previous year, 2022 performance, IGR dropped by N8, 410, 350, 320.12 or 35.45% in 2023.
"2022 IGR was N23, 725, 259, 664.18" Udu explained.
While commending the Accountant-General of the State for preparing the general purpose financial statement in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards, IPSAS, he stated that the audit was also conducted in accordance with the International Standards on Auditing and the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions.
He commended the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru for his transparent approach to governance which has won awards for the State.
He further emphasized that the report was disseminated to the public to mitigate unfounded rumours, urging all who desire further information on the report to approach the office of the state Auditor-General.
Udu further stated that he had already communicated the concerned over the development.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, The Executive Director of DIG Foundation, Chief Oliver Chima Ajah, explained that the programme was initiated under Strategic Civic Education and Advocacy for Good Governance project in Ebonyi state.
He emphasized that there was need for citizens to hold government accountable as a way of advancing development and good governance.
He sued for strengthened partnership between the citizens, civil society organisations and the office of the Auditor-General for accountable governance.
The two day event for Ebonyi North and Central senatorial zones of the State had traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, Civil Society Organizations, government actors, the media, among others as participants.
There were question and answer sessions in which concerns of citizens were addressed. Copies of the report were also handed over to DIG by the Auditor-General for distribution to citizens and CSOs.
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