The Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen Ogunijimi, has expressed his readiness to ensure the successful passage of the Public Financial Management Bill.
In a statement by the Director of Information, Press and Public Relations, OAGF, Bawa Mokwa, Mr Ogunijimi made this commitment during a meeting with the Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, BPSR, Dr Dasuki Arabi, who led a team from the agency on a courtesy visit to the Accountant General of the Federation.
The PFM Bill was initiated by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, OAGF, to give legal backing to the public finance management reform initiatives of the federal government and the operations of the treasury of the federation.
He hinted that a stakeholders’ engagement was planned for the proposed bill and solicited the involvement of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms in the engagement.
The AGF also explained that he would give priority to positive reforms that would reposition the treasury of the federation for more efficient performance.
He acknowledged the pivotal role that the BPSR plays in public service reforms and expressed the resolve of the OAGF to work closely with the agency to drive treasury reforms and improve public financial management in Nigeria.
“I am aware of the Public Financial Management Bill. I am a member of the committee that is putting the bill together, so it is going to be one of my priorities to see that the bill is passed,”; the AGF said.
Speaking earlier, Arabi said the visit was to strengthen the bond between the BPSR and the OAGF and also explore opportunities for synergy to drive reforms and improve service delivery in the country’s public service.
He said the BPSR was to undertake a nationwide impact assessment of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, adding that the OAGF would be actively involved in the initiative.
He further drew the attention of the AGF to the outstanding entitlements of government employees who were disengaged from service during the 2006 rightsizing exercise. He suggested that a committee be set up to verify the outstanding entitlements and other complaints so that these could be cleared.
