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Management of our public resources is a panacea for entrenching enduring culture of public accountability-AuGF

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Auditor General for the Federation, Shaakaa Chira has said
management of our public resources is a panacea for entrenching an enduring culture of public accountability

Speaking at a National Workshop on Trends in Public Sector Accounting, Auditing and Public Sector Reforms organized by Public Accounts Committee, PAC, of the HoR in collaboration with the Office the Auditor General for the Federation in Lagos, Chira said:

“Improved efficiency in the management of our public resources, a panacea for entrenching an enduring culture of public accountability.

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” On my part as the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF), I am pleased to announce that I have initiated series of reforms, since assumption of duties, aimed at repositioning the OAuGF for efficient service delivery.

“At the centre of these reforms, is timely submission of quality audit reports to the National Assembly (NASS); to enable them perform their oversights as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). In view of the foregoing objective, it was very easy for the Chairman, PAC (House of Rep.) and I to agree on the need to organise this workshop to further entrench, a culture of prudent management of our nation’s financial resources.

” It is on this premise that I see this workshop as a win-win situation for key stakeholders who are desirous of strengthening our public accountability.

“Further to the submission of high-quality audit reports, it is also my determination to make the OAuGF a model Institution, that will earn public confidence through professional conduct of its audit/periodic checks as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant regulations.

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“I came to this position because I was well aware of the general concerns of the auditees, being a person that rose through the ranks to become the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF). This underscores the first Circular I issued as the AuGF with Ref. No. 928/99/CONF/VO.II/38 dated 2nd January, 2024, on ‘CENTRALIZATION OF ISSUANCE OF AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTERS’.

“The Circular under reference has a twin benefits of helping my Office to track the conduct of audit and ensure timely submission of reports as well as reducing incidences of multiple audit visits to one Agency in a year.

“The implication of the Circular is that any letter for audit assignment not signed by me should not be honoured and in case you are in doubt of any letter for audit, feel free to contact me before granting access to the team.

“I must add that occasionally, due to public outcry or peculiar nature of some projects/programmes, a special team(s) may be set up by the Auditor-General for the Federation to specifically audit such projects/programmes with a view to submitting special report(s) to the National Assembly. In such situations, you should not be taken aback.

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“On this workshop, I want to assure our Distinguished Participants, that the papers that will be presented and the Resource Persons were carefully selected to keep you abreast of violations that constitute audit queries as well as the modus operandi of the PAC public hearing. Other areas include but not limited to the rudiments of knowing the reporting framework that is appropriate for your MDA, and an overview of key public sector financial management reforms.

“The Resource Persons, especially, are practitioners with considerable on the job experiences and are more than capable of doing justice to their respective papers.

“Another major advantage of this workshop is that it is coming shortly after both the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Auditor-General for the Federation issued separate Circulars on submission of stand-alone annual financial statements by the MDAs with effect from 2023 financial year. The Resource Persons from the two Offices will attend to all your concerns regarding the two Circulars in particulars and other matters connected thereto.

“At this juncture Distinguished Participants, it is my humble appeal that you make the best of this rare opportunity, where the Chairman of the PAC (House of Representatives), the AuGF and the Accounting Officers are in one room for a few-days, to x-ray matters that bothers on public accountability. Let us therefore make this workshop very interactive and participatory.

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“Finally, I want to thank, once again, the Chairman of the PAC, House of Representatives for this initiative and the Accounting Officers that made it to this workshop. I have no doubt that, going forward, there will be improved efficiency in the management of our public resources, a panacea for entrenching an enduring culture of public accountability.

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Abia Assembly orders Deputy Governor, Emetu to apologise over assault on House member

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Abia House of Assembly directs Deputy Gov Engr Ikechukwu Emetu to issue an unreserved apology to the house over assault on the member representing Ohafia South, Hon Kalu Mba Nwoke.

The motion which was moved by the member representing Ukwa West , Godwin Adiele was supported by other members

Kalu Mba Nwoke was reportedly assaulted at the Ohafia Local government Secretariat on Saturday, 2nd of November 2024( date of the just concluded local government elections)

The lawmaker alledged that he was assaulted on the orders of the Deputy Gov Engr Ikechukwu Emetu because he demanded that election result sheets should be available before the elections.

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NNPC, Dangote Sign GSPA Agreement To Boost Local Production, Revamp Industrial Growth

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The NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National d Gas Sale and Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has successfully executed a Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

The agreement, according to a statement signed by NNPCL spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye was undertaken by the Managing Director, NGML, Barr. Justat the Ezeala and the President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote on Tuesday at Corporate Head Office of Dangote in Falomo, Lagos State, outlines the supply of natural gas for power generation and feedstock at the Dangote Refinery, in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.

This major milestone is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy of utilizing Nigeria’s abundant gas resources towards revamping the nation’s industrial growth and kickstarting its economic prosperity.

This development, which sees a huge investment of this nature penned with zero capital expenditure (CAPEX) outlay, has been described by many as unprecedented in the history of NGML or any gas Local Distribution Company (LDC) in the country.

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Under the terms of the agreement, NGML will supply 100 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCF/D), 5OMMSCF/D being firm supply and the rest 50MMSCF/D interruptible natural gas supply to the refinery for an initial period of 10 years, with options for renewal and growth.

This collaboration is a significant step toward ensuring the operational success of the Dangote Refinery and enhancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilization.

NNPC Ltd, through NGML, its gas marketing subsidiary, continues to lead efforts in promoting the use of domestic gas to support industries and businesses nationwide.

The agreement represents a milestone for both NNPC Ltd and Dangote Refinery, aligning with their shared commitment to boosting local production and providing vital products for the benefit of all Nigerians.

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It is also a further proof of NGML’S unwavering commnitment to business excellence and fulfilling NNPC Ltd’s core mandate of ensuring Nigeria’s energy security through the execution of strategic gas projects across the country.

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Ecuador Midfielder Dies At 22 After Car Crash

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Ecuador international, Marco Angulo has died at the age of 22 a month after being seriously injured in a car crash, his club has announced.

The LDU Quito midfielder had been in hospital since the incident on 7 October in the south of Ecuador’s capital Quito.

Reports in Ecuador, external said he underwent several operations and spent over a week in intensive care, before passing away on Monday night.

“With deep sorrow and sadness, we regret to have to inform you of the death of our dear player Marco Angulo,” LDU Quito, who plays in Ecuador’s top flight, said in a statement on Tuesday morning.

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“We convey our condolences to his family and his loved ones.

“His passing is an irreparable loss which will leave an indelible mark in our hearts.”

Angulo’s parent club, Major League Soccer outfit FC Cincinnati, said they were “heartbroken to share” news of his death.

After a single season in the United States, Angulo joined LDU Quito on loan with an option to buy in March 2024.

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Angulo made 16 appearances for the club. His last appearance came on 6 October – a day before the car crash.

He made his debut for Ecuador in November 2022, coming on as a substitute in a 0-0 draw against Iraq, and earned three caps for his country.

“The Ecuadorian Football Association expresses its deepest sympathy over the death of Marco Angulo,” a statement from the governing body read.

“Marco was not only an outstanding player but also a great team-mate. He leaves a deep sorrow in our hearts, especially in those of us who went with him on countless trips, and to training camps and matches.

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“Rest in peace, Angulito.”

According to Ecuadorian reports, Independiente del Valle footballer Roberto Cabezas and a friend, Victor Carcopa, also died in the accident.

There were two other passengers in the car at the time. Their condition is unknown.

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