By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
A former Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr James Naiyeju has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, promulgate laws to give legal backing to the public finance management reforms being implemented by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
Dr. Naiyeju made the call in Kano while presenting a paper at the 2020 Management Retreat for Directors of Finance and Account and Directors of Internal Audit.
He said the reforms, which have yielded positive dividends, can only be protected against future abuse or outright cancellation if laws are promulgated to back their existences and operations.
Meanwhile, the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris has said the sustenance of the successes of the ongoing public finance management reforms of the Federal government, depends on the efforts and integrity of Directors of Finance and Accounts (DFAs) and Directors of Internal Audit (DIAs).
Idris spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2020 Management Retreat for Treasury Directors of Finance and Accounts and Directors of Internal Audit.
He said since the responsibility of implementing the financial reforms in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) rests on the Treasury Directors, it is expedient for the Treasury Directors to be committed, hard-working and live above board.
The AGF announced that in an effort to improve the capacity of staff, the Treasury has concluded arrangements to establish a Business School in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
He said already, his Office has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the National Open University of Nigeria to actualize the dream of establishing the NOUN Business School.
He said the NOUN Business School will be jointly funded by the Treasury and the National Open University of Nigeria(NOUN).
He commended the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed for approving the posting of Treasury Directors to Revenue Agencies and announced the setting up of a ten-man committee to handle all issues relating to the postings.
Ahmed said his office will review and take stock of the issues raised at the Retreat and will take informed decisions and actions that will make the Treasury more efficient.
He said the Treasury will continue to align its responsibilities with the expectations of Nigerians and will make changes where and when the need arises, with a view to providing the services that are expected of the Treasury.
