President Bola Tinubu has expressed the committment of the Federal Government to enhance the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF) for effective service delivery.
Tinubu, who was represented by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the public presentation of the OAuGF Strategic Plan 2024 -2028.
The president said that one of his administration’s goals was to enhance the independence of the OAuGF and empower it to perform its mandate seamlessly, towards deterring and detecting corruption in public institutions.
“Nigeria must win the fight against corruption. It is an existential problem that requires that all hands are on deck, in collaboration to ensure success.
“This is to ensure that the resources of the nation are deployed for the well-being of the present generation without hindering the aspirations of future generations of Nigerians,” he said.
He commended the OAuGF for developing a five-year strategic plan to promote public accountability and transparency in federal ministries, departments and agencies.
“The strategic plan has taken cognizance of the National Anti-Corruption strategy 2022 to 2026 action plan, which will ensure that endemic corruption is tackled head on.
“I am aware of the administrative and financial constraints faced by the OAuGF.
“I want to assure you that all necessary legislative processes will soon be concluded on the Federal Audit Service Bill, which is now before the Senate.
“I will not hesitate to sign it into law. This will underscore my determination to ensure the independence of this institution,” he said.
The AuGF, Mr Shaakaa Chira, said that the strategic plan was designed to contribute to the Federal Government’s agenda to stem the tide of corruption.
Chira said that it would also help to reduce waste and revenue leakages to the barest minimum, as well as guard against diversion of public resources.
“It will help to improve governance by holding public office holders accountable without fear or favour, through the delivery of high quality and timely audit report,” he said.
Chira said that the plan would achieve an enhanced independence and mandate of the OAuGF, and reduce mismanagement of public funds through stronger follow-up of audit recommendations.
He said that the strategic plan would also help to improve financial reporting in the public sector and present the OAuGF as a model institution.
“Let me assure you that OAuGF will ensure full implementation of the goals encapsulated in the strategic plan.
“We will put in place measures that will ensure a cultural shift and a new orientation in the way the management and staff of the OAuGF perform their roles, ” he said.
He called for a truly independent OAuGF and an enhanced budgetary allocation to the office.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, Rep. Bamidele Salam, commended the OAuGF for putting the strategic plan together.
Salam said that the office, which was vacant for about one year, had started living up to expectations.
” The office of OAuGF was vacant for more than one year, and there are deficits in the submission of annual reports.
“We were dealing with the 2019 report in 2024, but he has now submitted the 2020 report and part of the 2021 report.
“Audit work is one of the most difficult works anyone can be called upon to do in Nigeria because there is a lot of resistance,” he said.
Salam said that the OAuGF should always ensure that scarce resources are put to the best of use.
“We are operating a budget where we use 75 per cent of our revenue to service debt.
” The question is, to what extent has the debt impacted in the quality of life of the average Nigerian?
“The government is asking ordinary Nigerians to make sacrifices. What are the political elite doing to also shed some of their weights?
“The only way to ensure that is through an effective audit system. Both the pre-expenditure and post-expenditure audit are important, ” he said.
He called for a truly independent Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. (NAN)
