Yobe rated high in audit efficacy

The Yobe state Government scored 5th position out of the 36 states in an audit efficacy ranking by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), a civic organisation with speciality in Nigeria Public Audit participation.

Director-General, Press Affairs and Media to the Governor, Alhaji Mamman Muhammed, in a statement, said the organisation, in its 2021 report, said Yobe State moved from 13th position in 2020 to 5th in 2021.

ThePLSIsaidtheSubnational Audit Efficacy report produced annually is aimed at strengthening accountability for development in the states.

According to the statement, the assessment of the states is to promote public participation in establishing value for money on projects and programmes expended with public funds.

“This is to promote accountability, good governance and development in the 36 states.

“The assessment shows the level of transparency and accountability in management and utilisation of public funds in the 36 states”.

The organisation said it depended on participation of other civic society organisations, Auditor and Accountant Generals’ Offices, media coalitions and public account committees for its assessment.

The parameters used in assessing the states included transparency and accountability in conducting government businesses, financial and operational autonomy of the Auditor General’s Office, public access to audit reports and effective public accounts committee in the state assemblies, among others.

Governor Mai Mala Buni had, last year, signed into law the Public Sector Audit Bill to strengthen and promote audit of public accounts, publication and accessibility to audit reports to enhance accountability, transparency and probity in government expenditure.