John Ameh, Author at Tribune Online

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has urged states with existing fiscal responsibility laws to promptly implement them to enhance fiscal governance. The Executive Chairman of the commission, Mr Victor Muruako, made the appeal while speaking at the launch of the Subnational Audit Efficiency Index 2924 hosted by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative at the Shahu Musa Yar’Adua Center in Abuja. He emphasized that strengthening the local government system and training local operators are essential for enhancing public service delivery and accountability. The Chairman left the audience questioning whether local governments are truly fulfilling their expected roles, as noted by Mr. Bede Anyanwu, the Head of Strategic Communications at the FRC. At the event, a dynamic panel discussion was moderated by Mr. Odeh Friday, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria. The discussion focused on innovative strategies under the theme: "Leveraging Technology Tools for Improved Public Audit Practices and Service Delivery at the Subnational Level." Mr. Sunday Adegoke, Chairman of the Body of Federal and State Auditors-General and Ondo State Auditor-General, emphasized the decline in funding for audit offices following the post-SFTAS period. He called for comprehensive capacity building, better resource allocation, and the smart integration of social media to foster real-time citizen engagement while maintaining robust cybersecurity protocols. Mrs. Veronica Okonji’s perspective, presented by Mr. Francis Agbayi, shed light on Delta State’s inaugural performance audit. She attributed the breakthrough to the effective training provided by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative, illustrating how strategic capacity building can spark institutional reforms. Hon. Eric Akpan, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in Akwa Ibom State, underscored the committee’s pivotal role in audit implementation. He urged for stronger legislative backing, increased executive engagement, and the development of legal frameworks to safeguard the autonomy and effectiveness of audit offices. Mrs Ugochi Freeman, Executive Director of Creative Minds Centre for Youth and Community Development, stressed the importance of civil society organizations in empowering citizens with data and civic-tech tools to monitor government spending and drive accountability. Other distinguished attendees included The Auditor General of the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, whose participation further underscored the government’s commitment to fiscal transparency and accountability. His presence lent additional weight to the calls for reforms and the revitalization of audit processes across Nigeria. The event concluded with the announcement of state awards for conducting performance audits and publishing citizens’ accountability reports. The states recognised under this initiative include Adamawa, Jigawa, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Oyo, Katsina, Venue, Bauchi, Ondo, and Edo. The session encapsulated a multi-stakeholder commitment to leverage technology, enhanced training, and legislative support in order to drive meaningful reforms in public audit practices and ensure transparent governance at all levels. READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE