The Anambra State Government has publicly presented the 2023 Auditor-General’s Report in compliance with the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability Program for Result (SFTAS) and international best practices.
At the 2024 Audit Forum and Citizens’ Accountability Dialogue held in Awka, the report disclosed that 29 state agencies have never been audited since their inception.
The State Auditor-General, Mr. Akosa Okocha, raised concerns about ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) that have failed to respond to audit queries or provided inadequate responses. He cited challenges such as improper record keeping, unaccounted and unretired funds, use of fictitious receipts, insufficient documentation for expenditures, undeducted and unremitted taxes, and the use of personal bank accounts for official transactions.
In his lecture, Professor Patrick Egbunike of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, emphasized the need for strategic reforms in public finance accountability, including enhanced oversight institutions, citizen participation in budgeting, and technology adoption. Dr. Ekene Adokwe, representing Professor Anthony Agu, echoed these points, stressing transparency and efficiency to build public trust.
Other speakers, such as management consultant Mr. Ademola Okeleye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Mrs. Stephanie Keri-Uzor, and Civil Society Organization representative Ugochi Freeman, advocated for the enactment of an Anambra State Anti-Corruption Law to curb financial misconduct.
The forum reinforced the importance of accountability and transparency in fostering good governance and public trust in Anambra State.
