Character, integrity crucial to fight public sector corruption, say experts
Financial experts have proffered that character and integrity are crucial tools to fight public sector corruption in Nigeria.
The experts, who spoke at a two-day audit reporting training workshop for journalists in Anambra and Enugu states, organised by FrontFoot Media Initiative in Awka, yesterday, include the SA Financial Matters of Enugu State Public Finance, Prof. Paschal Okolie; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Anambra State, Dr. Emenike Ezinando and Director of Unizik Business School, Awka, Prof. Emma I. Okoye.
Others were FrontFoot Media Initiative Chairman, Sully Abu; Managing Director, Emeka Izeze, as well as Training Coordinator, Chido Nwakanma.
Okolie, in his lecture, said corruption had remained a bane despite many changes in the law and IT-driven applications for financial management in the country since 2010.
He said many states were yet to implement policies aimed at promoting accountability in public financial management.
In his presentation, Okoye said the primary motive of government budgeting was to secure the welfare of the people, adding: “A good government budgeting practice cannot thrive in a system void of respect for the rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance.”
The experts also advocated that state governments must empower the Office of the Auditor-General (AG) as part of measures to enhance the fight against financial misconduct.
Other measures include autonomy for the office of the AG as intended by the constitution, enabling legislation, implementing national and international financial reporting standards and having independent and robust Houses of Assembly.
The workshop is part of a collaborative media engagement for the development inclusivity and accountability project under the auspices of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and the sponsorship of the MacArthur Foundation.
