By Gbenga Sodeinde
The Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts has emphasized the need for a consistent yearly audit check of MDA’s financial records for thorough accountability and to ensure public funds are spent judiciously.
The Committee Chairman, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, member representing Ikole Constituency II, made the pronouncement during the consideration of the domestic report of the Auditor-General on the accounts of government of Ekiti State for the year ended 31st December, 2021, held at the Assembly complex in Ado Ekiti.
Hon. Aribasoye, who spoke on behalf of other committee members, frowned at the attitude of some ministries that are fond of not keeping an up to date record, also stated that the defense was borne out of the need at ensuring transparency and to know how funds appropriated to MDAs at the beginning of every financial year was put to use.
The Chairman, who is also the Chief Whip of the House, though, expressed that the Committee was not out to witch hunt any one, but would not fail in it’s primary mandate of ensuring and scrutinizing that there is value for public money, efficiency, effectiveness and that all fund appropriated are expended on what they are meant for.
He commended the Office of the Auditor-General and various ministries and agencies for the cooperation and the improvement witnessed so far in the Auditor-General’s report as at Dec. 2021, compared to previous years.
He however said the Committee would ensure areas where there are infractions and deficiencies are worked on and corrected.
The State Auditor-General, Mr. Adeuya Victor Oluwole in his contribution, stated that his role is to ensure transparency and accountability within the operations of financial management of Ekiti state and timely reporting to the legislature, to enable it ascertain how the resources entrusted to government establishments have been utilized.
He maintained that his office would not hesitate to query MDA’s whose financial records are questionable and infracted.
The representatives of Ministries, Department and Agencies present at the audit report consideration which included, the Ministry of Education; Education Trust Fund; Accountant General; Ministry of Budget; Housing Corporation and the Central Medical Store, all pledged to always do the needful and follow due process in their financial expenditure to ensure government achieve it’s aim of good governance.