Government restates commitment to fiscal discipline, accountability

The Federal Government would all time ensure discipline and accountability in the spending of public funds, according to the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

Speaking yesterday in Kano while declaring open a two-day retreat on revenue generation organised by her ministry, Adeosun noted that the days where revenue agencies spent unappropriated and unauthorised funds were over.

The event has “Enhancing Revenue Generation for Sustainable National Development” as its theme.

She warned that all dealings and spending must be observed as transparent as possible while not losing sight of fiscal discipline.

The minister said government was poised to exploring other sources of revenue in the face of prevailing economic realities occasioned by declining oil receipts.

She observed that move has become imperative to free funds for provision of much-desired infrastructure in the country.

“Our revenue focus will not burden Nigerians but will ensure that all revenue due to government, irrespective of the source, is collected with a high degree of efficiency, fully receipted and properly accounted for.

“The most important change we have introduced is a reorientation in the thinking about public money. Discipline and accountability in the spending of public money is a trademark of the President Muhammed Buhari administration. Making every naira count is a commitment and a policy focus and not a slogan,” Adeosun stated.

In his address, the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, said his government had employed measures to boost the revenue base of the state.

A part of the move, according to him, was the restructuring of the state’s internal revenue board for better result.