From Uche Usim, Abuja
For better accountability and management of public funds, the Auditor-General for the Federation, Mr. Anthony Mkpe Ayine and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, have pledged to work more closely and transparently as critical stakeholders of the Federal Government.
Ayine, while on a courtesy call on Baru in Abuja at the weekend, said the need to strive for transparency and accountability in governance cannot be overemphasised.
According to him, the Office of the Auditor-General (OAuGF), being the watchdog of government accounts and NNPC, naturally demands the two to officially closed ranks for proper management of public funds.
He commended the drive of the NNPC boss towards repositioning the national oil company for greater efficiency and better service delivery since he assumed office in July 2016.
The Auditor-General noted that the account of NNPC had been audited up to December 2014 with the assurance that the audit of 2016 will be concluded by December of 2017.
Ayine expressed satisfaction over assurances of the NNPC GMD that auditors will be given unfettered access to financial records for their periodic audit checks.
Responding, the NNPC GMD expressed the corporation’s continually collaborate with the OAuGF for optimum service delivery to Nigerians.
He said the NNPC was working at ensuring that their accounts were up to date, while adding that the 2014 accounts audit had been concluded and those of 2015 will be concluded by the end of August.
He said the 2016 exercise will be wrapped up by December 2017.
Baru emphasised that the corporation’s work was done transparently, hence the monthly publishing of its accounts.
He appreciated the AuGF for the visit, even as he gave assurance that his staff would work harmoniously with the OAuGF to implement whatever corrective actions were recommended.