AGF Urges States to Leverage Technology to Plug Leakages

James Emejo in Abuja

The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, has charged Accountant Generals of the 36 states of the federation to deploy technology to deepen transparency and plug leakages in the management of public resources.

Speaking at the opening of a capacity building workshop for states account generals themed: “Financial Management, Innovation, Fraud Detection and Control for Sustainable Development,” she said technology remained crucial in ensuring prudent management of resources, and called on states to explore more innovative solutions to boost transparency and accountability in the administration of their treasuries.

She stressed that technology has revolutionised accounting practice especially in the aspect of recording, reporting, storage and retrieval of accounting information and record.

Madein said, “The federal government introduced the Treasury Single Account (TSA) Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS). Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system (IPPIS) among other innovations to block leakages and enhance financial transparency which is why we are urging states who have not adopted these technologies to do so immediately.

“Although these innovations are still work in progress, the federal government is improving its operations periodically to boost service delivery”.

Earlier, Chairman of State Accountant Generals Forum/Accountant General of Sokoto State, Mr. Umar Ahmed, said the capacity building workshop was crucial to sharing ideas of innovative ways of managing their work and mandate.

He said the training had been designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their mandates.

He said they would have the opportunity to learn about new developments in accounting and financial management.

Ahmed said, “As you all know, the 2023 general elections and subsequent swearing-in of winners in most states and the federal government gave rise to the appointment of new accountants- general in some states.

“Again, many accountants-general have retired and those not affected by the above two situations require skill refreshment and upgrade especially as it relates to a series of emerging/developing issues in financial management that require the attention and understanding of contemporary accountants.”