Anambra: Why Unresolved Audit Queries Dropped from N2.5bn to N750m in One Year

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra state government on Thursday disclosed that amount of unresolved audit queries which hit about N2.5billion in 2023 financial year was drastically reduced to about N750million in 2024.

State Auditor-General, Akosa Okocha made the revelation at the Audit Forum and Citizens Accountability Dialogue on 2024 State Financial Statements in line with States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) and International Best Practice requirements.

He attributed the feat to proactive measure put in place by his office, including identification and rectification of expectation gaps, lapses and other breaches as they occured.

According to him, the state performed creditably well in the 2024 with a revenue surplus over the year’s budget projection while the budget shortfall was 28.70%.

“State government over achieved the expected revenue for the year by N92,813,471,665.63 or 33.21% while the sum of N117,721,974,562.61 or 28.70% was the amount by which our actual expenditure of N292,410,250,696.39 is short of the budget projection of N410,132,225,259.00.

“Therefore, the State achieved a remarkable budget performance of over 70% in the year 2024. The revenues earned were applied to critical areas for
development. The State performed creditably well in the year 2024,” he added.

While welcoming participants to the engagement, Akosa said the dialogue would provide Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with modern and trending approaches and techniques on public sector financial management.

“Transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility have always being our watchword in Anambra State leading to the State wining many accolades in public sector financial managements and transactions from reputable rating organizations.

“This year Audit Forum and Citizens Accountability Dialogue is a continuation of my office’s duty of bringing to the public whose fund the State government holds on trust and manage the report of our stewardship for the year ended 2024.

“It is an interactive session where the citizens and other relevant stakeholders interface with Public Fund administrators in order to gain insight on government and governance, fund administration and management, revenue generation, challenges faced within the period under review and other observed issue.”

Appreciating Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his consistency in release of funds for Auditor General activities, Akosa urged him to assist his office towards the soon completion of the new office building.

“I believe our Solution governor who has great love for infrastructure development will look towards our direction in the incoming year and we will be our new office building.

“The area of capacity building for my staff is also being pursued by my office to enable them gain current expertise, knowledge and skills for job performance,” he added.

The dialogue attended by leaders of Nigeria Labour and Trade Union Congresses, representatives of town union and professional bodies as well as civil society organizations featured analysis of 2024 financial statement and paper presentations

Prof Toochukwu Okafor delivered paper titled “Enhancing Transparency and accountability in public sector service delivery: an overview of IPSAS and role of accountants and auditors” while Dr Ekene Adokwe’s paper was titled “Robust Financial System: A Panacea for Good Governance.”