The Auditor Generals of all states in the South West of the Federation have been charged to put in more efforts in the discharge of their duties especially in the area of audit checks and control through the use of modern techniques.
Osun State Head of Service, Mr. Ayanleye Aina made this known while declaring open the Bi-Annual South West Conference of Auditors General for Local Governments held at Western Sun Hotel, Ede, Osun State.
Mr. Aina who described the theme of the conference,"impact of Supreme Court on LG.Financial Autonomy",as apt and timely,also noted that it is a means of promoting accountability and transparency in their various states.
The HOS,who similarly harped on efficient service delivery to the people,commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for retrieving tractors owned by Osun State Government that were taken to other states without proper documentation for many years.
He added that the efforts towards saving the State millions of Naira on the payment of absconded staff of some Local Governments by the office of the Auditor General for Local Government can not be over emphasized
Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman,Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Adekunle Oladimeji implored Auditor Generals to explore innovative ways to strengthen audit processes and enhance interstate collaboration by leveraging on technology for better performance.
Hon. Oladimeji promised that Osun State House of Assembly will not shy away from its responsibility of ensuring that there are regular checks and balances, in a bid to obtain value for the money expended on any developmental programmes in the state.
In his welcome address, the Auditor General for Local Governments in Osun State, Mr. Isiaq Awotunde noted that,the conference was convened to discuss pivotal issues affecting the Local Government Financial Administration in Nigeria and to also examine the implications of the Supreme Court's landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of the Local Governments.
Mr. Awotunde explained that the ruling has reignited the need for effective local governance, improved service delivery, and an enhanced accountability in the third-tier system of administration.
Present at the occasion were the Permanent Secretaries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Femi Ogundun; Local Government Service Commission, Mrs Modupe Irelewuyi; Local Government Staff Pension Bureau, Mr Ibrahim Akibu, Auditor General for Osun State, Mr Moruf Kolapo, and Auditors General for Local Government in Oyo, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos States.
