Next AGF Must Be Versatile, Dynamic, Says CSO

Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) has said the next accountant-general of the federation (AGF) must be dynamic and versatile in both private and public sector financial management.

The group added that such a person must be diplomatic and skillful in interpersonal relationships, to enable him or her to proactively navigate and out-manoeuvre the entrenched bureaucracy which is plaguing our public service system, to deliver the goods of the office to Nigerians.

A statement yesterday in Abuja, signed by the president, CSGGG, Comrade Ogakwu Dominic stated that such person must be someone who can also diplomatically facilitate a healthy synergy with the three arms of government, catalyze a robust and cost-effective inter-agency cooperation to lower the cost of governance and must be able to work harmoniously and seamlessly with the minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Dominic said this will create room for the smooth implementation of the government financial implementation framework 2022 – 2025, vis-a-vis the monetary and fiscal policy of the government.

“Furthermore, the preferred candidate must be able to account for all international funds accruable to the country, inclusive of aids, credits, grants and loans from international agencies.

“Currently our treasury is in tatters with the conundrum emanating from the IPPIS and UTAS dichotomy, alongside allegations of massive fraud in GIFMIS and TSA, giving voice to diverse agitations, paramount among which is the perennial face-off between the federal government and university lecturers,” he said.

He added that the screening process must de-emphasize the obsolete systems as the major determinant for recruiting the Accountant General of the Federation, given the pivotal and influential functions of the office on our national economy.