The auditor general for local government, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, has charged directors of local government (DLGs) and local government treasurers to adhere strictly to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) for accurate and up-to-date financial records.
Adabenege gave the charge during a sensitisation meeting held on Wednesday at his office in Zone 8 Lokoja, with the key LG officials in attendance.
According to him, compliance with the IPSAS serves as a strategic tool to improve local governance, transparency, and service delivery.
He noted that adopting IPSAS would not only enhance the credibility of financial reports but also strengthen the officials’ bargaining power when engaging with higher authorities on fiscal matters.
Adabenege, while calling for their continued cooperation and dedication to duty, assured the officials that he would reconvene the DLGs, local government treasurers, Returning Officers, and Chairmen of all the 21 local government areas on Monday for a follow-up engagement.
In his remarks, the director of audit services, Chris Emmanuel, said that the meeting was convened solely to reinforce accountability and transparency at the grassroots level and educate the LG financial officers on the importance of timely and proper preparation of financial statements in line with global best practices.
Emmanuel urged the officers to maximise the opportunity to increase their tax refunds from the local government, noting that such efforts would require tact, persuasion, and proactive initiative.
“You must understand how the local government system works and always apply your best initiative when dealing with the chairmen, as they are political office holders and reason differently from technocrats,” he explained.
