AGF-Idris Wants Quarterly Audit Of MDAs

BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Ahmed Idris has advocated for quarterly audit of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with a view to make their duties simple and easy to tackle financial reports received from MDAs.

Idris, who made the call when he received in audience, the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), Mr. Adolphus Aghughu at the Treasury House on Monday, said that quarterly audit would create cooperation, understanding and harmonious working relationship between Federal Auditors and MDAs.

The AGF noted that his office and that of the AuGF are two sister agencies with similar mandate, adding that; “for me, we cannot have Audit without Accounts and we must sustain the cordial relationship for the good of the nation”.

These were contained in a statement by the Director Information, Press and Public Relations in the OAGF, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, in which Idris further said that in order to curb the pile ups of financial reports for auditing, the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation should carry out quarterly audit of the MDAs.

He also called for a renewed orientation on the concept and practice of Auditing.

In the words of Idris; “It is time we adopt modern Auditing techniques with ICT tools which makes auditing quicker and most accurate.

“Auditors are not on a witch-hunt mission, they are to advice and give positive opinion. By doing so, this will reduce embarrassment that Accounting Officers of MDAs receive in Public Accounts meeting”.

“On the submission of financial statement for Audit, Idris said his office has been able to reduce the four years gap of non-submission to only one.

According to him; “As at today, the accounts for the 2019 are ready for submission, except for the fact that we have been asked to wait till work is concluded on the 2018 report”.

He urged the Auditor General of the Federation to sustain the cordial relationship that existed between the two Agencies which he said is for the good of his office and the system; the good of the Nigerian people and the good of the Nigerian government.

Idris congratulated the Aghughu for being elected the Chairman of the African Board of Auditors and also extended his goodwill for collaboration and refresher training for Accountants and Auditors.

Earlier, the AuGF Mr. Adolphus Aghughu thanked the AGF for his support and encouragement before and after his appointment.

Aghughu solicited for strong collaboration between the Treasury Audit Department of his office and the Consolidated Accounts Department of OAGF in order to timely resolve issues that may cause delay in the completion of work on financial statements.