The Lagos State Government has emphasised the need for compliance with Financial Management Law and other Extant Financial Provisions as a pre-requisite for a virile public service, saying that the assessment of government performance by the populace is often based on prudent financial management.
The Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, stated this in his address at the Year 2022 Career Week Programme organised by the State Civil Service Commission.
The Head of Service, represented by the Permanent Secretary Office of Internal Audit, Mrs. Kikelomo Dawodu, expressed the belief that the Career Week with the theme: “Compliance with Lagos State Public Finance Management & other Extant Financial Provisions”, will serve as a natural follow up to the first edition, given its focus on dwindling Government Revenues globally.
While commending the management of the Civil Service Commission for the consistency in organising the Career week programme, he urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the event to grow in knowledge, skills and competencies, stressing that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, places a high premium on strict compliance with due process in the management of public funds.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Temitope Hundogan, called on all Civil Servants, especially those in charge of the State’s finance, to desist from actions capable of financial infractions.
He acknowledged the efforts of the State Government through the Civil Service Commission in investing in the human capacity of the State with the provision of fit-for-purpose learning platforms that would eventually translate to the realisation of the State’s vision.
Earlier, the Chairman Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo, explained that the choice of the theme for the Career Week was predicated on the need to improve the metrics of public financial management and entrench the culture of financial efficiency and effectiveness, especially at a time like this when resources are limited both locally and globally.
Fabamwo informed that the topics chosen for the technical sessions and panel discussions at the event were not only job-specific but highly relational to core career management matters with spotlights on the statutes, rules, procedures and extant regulations.
She disclosed that the Career Week Programme was designed not just to provide a platform to sensitise officers across all cadres but also to hold a strategic discussion in line with the Commission’s commitment to repositioning the State workforce as well as to draw the attention of officers to some observed infraction
She noted that the Commission had earlier organised the maiden edition of the Career Week which was meant for the year 2021 schedule for Directors and officers in the Administrative and Human Resource cadre, adding that the 2022 Career Week Programme was designed for Directors and Officers in the Finance and Accounts as well as the Audit cadres.
On her part, the Chairman, Audit Service Commission, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adegbuji-Onikoyi, said that it is imperative for Accountants, Auditors and other stakeholders in all MDÁs to be in compliance with the requirements of Public Finance Management and other Extant Financial Provisions.
This, according to her, will improve accountability, transparency and support the fiscal consolidation efforts of the State government whilst enhancing the independence and objectivity of public Auditors in the discharge of their duties.
Dignitaries present at the event include the Commission Members of the Civil Service Commission including Commissioner I, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi; Commissioner II, Hon. Kamal Olorunoje; Commissioner III, Mr. Babatunde Seriki; Commissioner IV, Hon. Hodewu Suru Avoseh; Acting State Auditor-General, Mr. Moshood Adewuyi, Members of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Finance and Accounts as well as Auditors.