Bauchi Gov bags ICAN award for accountability and transparency

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Bauchi State Government under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed, has ranked third in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN Accountability and Transparency Index for the 2021 assessment year. 

This assertion was disclosed by the President of ICAN Mallam Tijjani Musa FCA,  during a public presentation and Award to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State held today , Monday, at the Council Chambers of the Institute in Victoria Island , Lagos.

During the event, the ICAN boss  commended Governor Mohammed and his  team of professional Accountants for their outstanding commitment, extraordinary performance and high sense of accountability and transparency which they brought to bear in administering the public finances of Bauchi State .

Governor Mohammed alongside Four other Governors were nominated in appreciation of their dogged performance during the period under review towards the progress and financial development of their respective States.

The administration of Governor  Mohammed  has during the period of assessment introduced various public service reforms to improve fiscal discipline in public procurement, debt management and implementation of the fiscal responsibility law to specifically and most importantly eliminate , block leakages and waste in the implementation of capital budget .

Other indicators used in measuring the Bala Mohammed’s administration  is the newly introduced Treasury Single Account (TSA) tax administration which assisted in drastically eliminating multiple taxation and shoring of additional sources of revenue in the State. Additionally , the phenomenal growth in IGR , the transparency in reporting collectible revenue and its application in solving the problems of the state represent , again , another major reason.

Furthermore, regular payment of counterpart funds , one of the hallmarks of the Bala Mohammed’s administration has earned the State regular inclusion in the programs of the Federal Government and several development partners, as the financial partners have developed greater confidence in the State’s ability to meet its obligations.

Similarly , with the support of a team of committed technocrats , politicians, patriotic stakeholders, key traditional rulers , the administration has created a new narrative in service delivery in the State. These people oriented development programs are spread across the State, in terms of infrastructure and human development in the areas of roads construction , rehabilitation of critical urban and rural roads , Health , Education Agriculture, massive housing projects , Water supply as well as youth and women empowerment.

These variables according to ICAN stimulate sustained economic growth, enhances  accountability, transparency, ease of doing business and reduce corrupt practices which ensured fiscal discipline in the public service of Bauchi State.

Governor Bala Mohammed was represented at the event by the State Accountant General Dr, Sa’idu Abubakar ,accompanied by Comrade Mukhtar GIDADO , Special Adviser Media to the Governor .

In his vote of thanks after receiving the award , Dr Sa’idu Abubakar applauded the Governing Board of ICAN for the recognition and honour done to the entire people of Bauchi . He said Bauchi State is indeed deeply elated to rank 3rd on the ICAN -AI Assessment of 2021 and described it as a huge leapfrog from the rank of 20th in the 2020 report , which was an evidence that the State is doing the right thing that strive to surpass the previous performance.

He also assured ICAN that the Award will further ginger the Governor to do more in ensuring accountability and transparency in governance as the Bauchi State Government has proposed commitment to ICAN’s Students Special  Project.

Goodwill messages were delivered by relevant Stakeholders that include : International Federation of Accountants ( IFAC) , Association of certified chartered Accountants ( ACCA) , Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa ( ABWA ) and representatives of State Governors.

The chairman , Board of Past presidents of the institute Dr. ( sir ) Ike Nwokolo , OFR with some other notable past presidents of the institute attended the event.