President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Public office holders must be held accountable for the management of public funds.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari said this during a meeting with members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari said “The annual audits of government ministries, agencies and departments, which your members undertake must be taken more seriously. People must be made to properly account for whatever government funds are entrusted to their supervision.
“Let your audit reports on our MDAs be thoroughly, professionally and dispassionately done to ensure greater probity in the management of our national resources.”
ICAN President, Olufemi Deru, while addressing President Buhari said “The values you hold dear – those of integrity, transparency and accountability – are the foundation of the accountancy profession.
“It is therefore heartening and commendable that you are engaging our members and their firms in the anti-corruption crusade.”
Furthermore, the President has also reassured Nigerians that his administration is fully committed to the Anti-corruption crusade.
The President said this at the opening session of the 45th Annual Accountants Conference and 50th Anniversary celebration of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
Buhari who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Anastasia Nwaobia said “We are at the threshold of history where we must collectively take the destiny of the nation in our hands. As Nigerians, no one can love Nigeria like you and I. On our part, we will continue to lead by example making efforts to live above board.
“As we strive to walk our talk, we will carry to its logical conclusions our initiative to overhaul the bureaucracy of the public sector in an effort to engender transparency and improve productivity in public governance.”
“In addition, we will reinvigorate the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission such that the processes of accountability in public governance are reinforced.
“I assure you that persons found wanting will not be spared.”
The President added that his administration will enforce a change in the value system so as to make Nigeria better for all.