Even those who not seen the four walls of a university will attest to the importance of proper scrutiny of government agencies and private organisations. Proper auditing guarantees sound management of the economy, especially the current spate of high rate of global economic downturn. Without mincing words, the global economy is in a shambles, inclusive of Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy.
Meanwhile, some financial, economic, human and community development experts in collaboration with government and non-governmental organisations have over the years organised workshops both at local, national and international arena with a view to finding sustainable solution to the poor state of the economy and high rate of fraud in Nigeria and the world at large, all to no avail. The more the search for formidable template on the proper management of Nigeria’s economy and curbing corruption, especially in ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, of government which shall transform the economy in positively for the benefit of every segment of Nigeria, the more the economy becomes comatose.
The question then is, what could be responsible for the Nigeria’s intractable dwindling economy and high rate of corruption? The answer is not is far fetched, it’s simply poor leadership. A situation where we spend money without proper auditing and accounting is undesirable. This explains why anti-corruption agencies which are mandated by law to fight corruption, have instead taken over the functions of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, which is made up of thorough bred professionals with vast knowledge in the field of auditing, whether forensic or otherwise.
Unfortunately these experts in auditing have been made toothless all because of the lacunae in the Act establishing the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation. Will Nigerians continue to fold their arms while the country is being bastardised and run under without appropriate record and proper auditing of its spending? Never, we cannot continue like this! Although the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is doing all within it’s power to fight corruption, but there’s need for the government to do more. The government can do better if necessary powers are vested in the office of the Auditor General of the Federation.
This can be done by ensuring that the Audit Bill at the National Assembly is passed into law and assented to by Mr. President. This is necessary because a society or organisation run without proper inspection by auditors to ascertain whether or not things are done right wrong or right, is doomed for crisis. Developed countries that are the envy countries like Nigeria, got to the level they are today by giving much attention to proper auditing of every segment of their economy, so they can quickly make amends and find suitable solutions to areas that need urgent attention. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case in Nigeria. Honestly, as far as Nigerian leaders keep running away from the expedient functions of auditing, which provides credibility and gives confidence with accurate facts and fairness in the running of government, the more Nigeria will continue to get it wrong in the management of its economy.
The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation deserves enormous powers to function effectively. Presently they are handicapped. Its enabling law needs urgent amendment to enable our well groomed technocrats in the Audit House to function effectively in order to redeem the battered image of Nigeria and save enough money to enable Nigeria create more job opportunities for her teeming unemployed youth. This is why the current Audit Bill which has already been passed by the green chamber of the National Assembly and has gone through second reading at red chamber should be given every support to become law. No doubt, the Audit Bill when passed into law will curb corruption, which has defied all efforts to tame it.
Again, the passage of the Audit Bill into law will definitely give the auditors the opportunity to deploy their technical knowhow to transform Nigeria’s as they will be availed detailed information on financial transactions, project management, procurement procedures, and use of findings as well as grants in the public and private organisations. To say, the staff at the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, currently piloted in an acting capacity by Mr. Andrew Onwudili, has the capacity to reform Nigeria’s economy when the Audit Bill becomes law, is more like demanding to know whether a well trained professional footballer can be kick a ball.
Truly, they have the innovative prevention methods and all the professional tools to make Nigerian government effective and efficient in order to enable Nigeria become one of the leading economies in the comity of nations. So, the Audit Bill deserves expeditious passage and signing into law so that together we all can achieve Nigeria of our dream that’s devoid of fraud.
Hadiza Isah, a public affairs commentator, writes from Daura, Katsina state.
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