Public Funds: Akwa lbom ranks 1st, Kano 36th in Subnational Audit Efficacy Index

Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), a civic organization fostering accountability in Nigeria, has released its Subnational Audit Efficacy Index for 2022.Information Guide Nigeria

This is the third consecutive annual assessment that examined the level of transparency and accountability operational in the management of public funds and implementation of public policies in all 36 states of Nigeria.

According to THE AUTHORITY, the 2022 Audit Efficacy Index report presented in Abuja on Wednesday placed Akwa Ibom State topmost having scored 69% while Yobe and Katsina States ranked 2nd and 3rd with 63% and 50%, respectively.JAMB Result

Abia, Benue, Borno and Kano States occupied 33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th positions, respectively, having recorded 12%, 10%, 5% and 3% in that order

The Executive Director at PLSI, Mr. Olusegun Elemo who spoke on the methodology used for the assessment, confirmed that the 2022 Index applied eight scoring parameters to arrive at the conclusions.

The method he said includes Audit Legal Framework & Operationalization, Submission of Annual Activity Report, Type of Audit Document Published Online, Implementation of House Resolutions on Audit Recommendations, Evidence of Performance Audit, Availability of Citizens’ Accountability Report, Civil Society/Media Participation in the Audit Process and Effectiveness of Public Accounts Committee.

He further disclosed that “our research team collected, examined, and validated data provided by Offices of Accountant-General, Supreme Audit Institutions, Public Accounts Committees, and Civil Society Organizations in all 36 States”.

“the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Program for
Result initiative implemented between 2018 and 2022 achieved much in incentivizing transparency
reforms and enacting legal frameworks as the foundation for accountability.

“However, implementation of these legal frameworks has been a hard task for state executives and PLSI having envisaged a potential push-back or stagnation of these reforms especially as monetary incentives cease initiated the Subnational Audit Efficacy Index – an annual scorecard that assesses both the management of public funds and implementation of public policies at the state level.JAMB Portal

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“This annual assessment provides routine diagnostic feedback to PLSI and other development institutions on areas accountability actors at the subnational level are struggling and require support.”

THE AUTHORITY reports that he acknowledged that “PLSI is proud to have leveraged evidence from previous assessment to provide two-year assistance to five states through the ‘strengthening public audit practices and accountability at the state level in Nigeria’ project supported by the MacArthur Foundation”.

According to the SAE Index 2022 report, only two out of 36 States have made progress toward implementing financial autonomy for the Audit Office.

A press statement issued by PLSI on the heels of the report presentation revealed that 21 States did not publish full audit reports for 2021 and only 11 out of 36 States published the Citizens’ Accountability Report for 2021 online.

In addition, one of the 36 States produced a standard performance audit report on government programs, projects, or policies in 2021.NYSC Portal

The report also revealed that only 5 out of 36 States have effective Public Accounts Committees in their Houses of Assembly and only two out of 36 States are sufficiently involving civic and media actors in the audit process of their States.

PLSI recommended a timeous review of audit reports by State Houses of Assembly and publishing full audit reports, in addition to citizens’ accountability reports online to enhance civic participation in the audit process.

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