Why Projects Are Delayed For Approval, Lagos Govt Gives Reasons
Lagos State Government has said that many projects from respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are delayed for approval because they lack proper conduct of financial regulation, application in the preparation of the budget, submission writing and other financial requests.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Internal Audit, Mrs. Kikelomo Dawodu revealed this at an interactive briefing organised by the Office of Internal Audit to sensitise Heads of MDAs on government budget and expenditure with the theme: “Synergising For Effective and Swift Delivery Of Expectations” held at Alausa, Ikeja.
She charged Heads of Government Parastatals who are the Accounting Officers of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), on the proper conduct of financial regulation and focus on proper documentation and verification that would help deepen the culture of accountability and transparency within the Public Service.
Acceding to her, the cause of delay in getting approvals for some government projects was improper documentation as she advised them on processes of accessing funds to carry out government businesses in line with laid down rules and regulations.
She said that the interactive session would focus on proper documentation and verification that would help deepen the culture of accountability and transparency within the Public Service, saying that the cause of delay in getting approvals for some government projects was improper documentation.
Dawodu, however, urged Chief Executive Officers of the various MDAs to ensure filing of documents for approval of funds is done properly and in accordance with the law, stressing that Financial Regulations must be strictly adhered to for the smooth running of their offices.
Also speaking, the State Accountant General/Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office, Dr. Abiodun Muritala said the financial management activities are governed by laws, regulations and circulars, imploring all Heads of MDAs to get themselves acquainted with relevant rules and regulations guiding government finance.
He listed Public Finance Management Law, the Appropriation Law and Fiscal Responsibility Acts among others as the financial law books Chief Executive Officers across the MDAs need to read before handling financial-related matters in public service.
The Accountant-General added that the CEOs who also act as the Head of Procurement in their respective MDAs need to be conversant with Procurement Law for accountability and transparency.
Speaking on the theme of the programme, “Synergising ForEffective and Swift Delivery Of Expectation”, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ibrahim Obajomo said it addresses the current ways of processing financial expenditure in line with stipulated laws.Speaking about the role of the budget in the financial expenditure of MDAs, Obajomo said, Budget is core to financial management activities of government establishment, noting that it gives details on how the expenditure will be judiciously spent.
He said the budget for MDAs is guided by law, urging the Chief Executive Officers in various government establishments to abide by the law while preparing their budgets.
The Director-General Public Procurement Agency, Mr. FataiOnafowote, on his part, said good governance can only be guaranteed where there is total compliance with the rules of law, adding that financial-related matters of every MDAs is guided by law that would make access to funds seamless and constitutional.
He said it is the duty of the Office of the Accountant-General, Internal Audit, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget and Public Procurement Agency to ensure no MDA operates contrary to Financial Regulations and proper budgetary expenditure.
