The Public Accounts Committee, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has commended the Office of Accountant General for its commitment and compliance with the Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, and member representing Nsit Ibom State constituency in the House of Assembly, Mr Eric Akpan made the commendation when he led members of the committee on oversight function to the Office of the Accountant General and the Auditor General of the state.
Mr Akpan noted that with the level of compliance to IPSAS, Akwa Ibom State has advanced in recognition, measurement and documentation of legacy assets and liabilities.
While commending the neat and conducive work environment of the Accountant General’s Office, the committee Chairman, praised the Accountant General on timely submission of the Annual Financial Statement of the Akwa Ibom State Government for the year ended 31st December, 2023 to the Office of the State Auditor-General.
Mr Eric however expressed displeasure over what he termed delays and resistance by some heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in granting the State Auditor-General timely access to books and records, noting that this contravenes the provision of section (14) of the Akwa Ibom State Audit Law of 2021.
Responding, the Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien expressed gratitude to the Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, Mr Eric Akpan for the visit saying, it was the first time the committee had visited his office.
Pastor Andrew-Essien called on the committee to equally extend the visit to the sub-treasuries for an eye-witness account of the deplorable state of some of the sub-treasuries.
Meanwhile at the Office of the Auditor General for Local Governments, the Committee appreciated the Office of the Auditor General for Local Governments for the cordial working relationship so far and pledged the Committee’s readiness to look at every challenges mentioned by the Auditor General for Local Governments, Permanent Secretary, Mr Emaeyak Nyong Akpan.
The Committee’s chairman, Mr Eric Akpan however raised concerns on the financial statements of Local Government Councils for the year ended 31st December, 2023, which fell below the stipulated IPSAS standard as recommended by national standard requirements framework provision approved by the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria since 2020 for all public sector entities in Nigeria.
He urged the Office of the Auditor General for Local Governments to sanction any Local Government Area who do not comply with the IPSAS standard of accounting.
Earlier in his address, the Auditor General for Local Governments, Mr Emaeyak Nyong Akpan who welcomed the Committee to his office listed his achievement and Challenges.
Source: Grace Udoma, FRCN, Uyo
