In his efforts to ensure accountability, transparency and open government policy, the Office of the Auditor General for local government councils in Kano state holds a maiden edition of Audit Forum on the 44 local government consolidated financial report for the year ended 31st December, 2024.
Ahmed Tijjani Abdullahi, the Auditor General for local government in Kano state said the forum marked a significant step in their collective commitment to strengthening accountability, enhancing transparency and improving the financial management systems that guide service delivery at grassroots level in the state.
“Local government remains the closest tier of government to our people and their ability to plan, manage, and report on public resources has a direct impact on development outcomes in our communities. As such, the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of their Financial Statements are not mere administrative requirements they are essential tools lice informed decision making, public trust, and sustainable development,” said Ahmed Tijjani.
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He commended the executive governor of Kano state Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Kano state house of assembly led by speaker Jibrin Ismail Fargore and public account committee’s cordial relationship and support at all times.
In a remark, the Kano state Auditor General Alhaji Rabi’u Yusuf said the program was organized to analyze the Audited 2024, 44 local government financial statement which was already sent to Kano state house of assembly.
According to him, the programs which in attendance all state and local government financial managers, civil society organizations and the journalist discussed thoroughly on all netty gritty in the management of public funds.
“For six years, the Kano state government has been holding the state Audit Forum, now with the commitment of the executive governor of Kano state, we are holding it at local government level so that Kano residents will hold the managers of their funds accountable. As the Nigerian local government autonomy is here to stay, this forum will support executives at the local level to ensure maximum utilization of people’s funds,” said Rabi’u Yusuf.
Speaking earlier, the chairman of the forum Alhaji Ali Ben Umar said the findings and recommendations contained in the Annual Report of the Auditor General are designed to strengthen Public Financial Management in the Local Government Councils of the State and help improve governance, accountability, transparency and integrity in performance.
Ben Umar said the core objectives of the Annual Audit Forum includes promoting transparency and accountability by ensuring that the Local Government Councils are accountable for their actions and use public resources responsibly. To improve efficiency and effectiveness by identifying waste, promoting good practices and evaluating performance. To strengthen good governance by helping the Local Government Councils to improve service delivery. Enhance public trust by instilling confidence among citizens and stakeholders that public resources are managed well and public services are delivered effectively.
Declaring the forum open, the chairman public account committee of the Kano state house of assembly Alhaji Tukur Muhammad Fagge assured the lawmakers commitment in ensuring supporting both state and local government auditors in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
He said the assembly will ensure standard practices of financial management, transparency and accountability in running the affairs of the state.