Audit Forum: Oyetola’s administration committed to transparency says Osun Auditor-General
…as govt presents 2019 Audited Accounts
Abimbola Abatta
Osun State’s Auditor-General, Mr. Folorunso Adesina, has described the Oyetola-led administration as most transparent, saying it is committed to accountability, openness and probity in the management of State resources and finances.
This is even as the State government presented the Year 2019 audited accounts to intimate the public on the status of the State’s finances within the audited period as part of efforts to showcase prudence in the management of public resources and strengthen public trust and confidence in governance.
Adesina spoke on Wednesday while reeling out the audited reports of the finances of the State for the year 2019, at Aurora Events Centre, Osogbo.
The Forum was put together by the Office of the Auditor General in collaboration with EU/World Bank Assisted and Local Governance Reform (SLOGOR) Project.
The State Auditor-General lauded the noble initiative to financial re-engineering employed by the State which according to him had assisted in the monitoring of day-to-day transaction of the government, which in turn qualifies the State for World Bank “State and Fiscal Transparency and Accountability programme (SIFTAS).”
In his words, “Bearing the living standard and socioeconomic investment in capital expenditure of the government in the year under review, and in order to ascertain if the level of work commensurates with the huge amount expended as shown earlier that 51.40% was expended on economic sector while 36.87% was expended on social sector, this office conducted value for money audit on some of these expenditures as it relates to Social and Economic sector.
“On health sector, it was revealed that hundreds of Primary Healthcare Centres had been built, rehabilitated, revitalised and delivered for public use as at the time of this report and more to be delivered and the location of the health centres and health equipment supplied (including consumables) were confirmation of this government’s priority for the wellbeing of the masses.
“Audit visited some renovated schools and the educational materials supplied like desks and chairs, books, shelves etc were inspected across the State. It was discovered that these amenities were effective and efficient for the target masses.
“Also on infrastructure, the project monitoring team of this office inspected all the road constructions embarked upon by the State like Gbongan-Akoda road, Osogbo ring road, etc., and it was discovered that best available standards were used in the construction of the roads, thereby making available to the masses, good and solid road network which has impacted greatly on the lives of the people and has helped to transform the socioeconomic status of the State.
“It was also discovered that efforts to reinstate the State to agriculture hub of southwest was also embarked upon with provision of more farm settlements and seedlings for farmers while dredging of rivers and planting of trees at the river bank were done to avoid erosion.”
While presenting the audited accounts report for the said year, Adesina said he had examined the accounts and the financial statements of the State Government for the Year ended 31st December, 2019 in compliance with the provisions of Section 125(2) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
According to him, the audit was conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing as applicable to the public sector and the provisions of Section 125(5) of the same Constitution.
He noted that the consolidated financial summary for year 2019 has the Total Revenue of N101, 177, 021, 193.03; Total Recurrent Expenditure of N71, 932, 187, 306.95 and Total Capital Expenditure of N30, 095, 322, 847.24 respectively.
Adesina further reported that Total Expenditure was put at N102, 027, 510, 154. 19; Net Cash Balance was put at N850, 488, 961. 16; Opening Cash Balance, including call account was put at N11, 207, 102, 272. 30 and Closing Cash Balance was put at N10, 356, 311. 14 respectively.
“The Financial Statements are hereby certified to be free from material misstatements subject to comments and observations contained in the Management’s report,” Adesina added.
Earlier, the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye acknowledged the financial prowess of Governor Oyetola which had culminated in winning of accolades in the management of public treasury.
Owoeye, who was represented by the Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Gbenga Ogunkanmi, reiterated the legislature’s continued support to the State government.
The Project Coordinator, State and Local Governance Reform Project, Mr. Yemi Ijidele, commended the Administration of Governor Oyetola for being honest, transparent and accountable to the public as manifested in the prudent management of the public treasury.
