The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Hon. Abdul Mumin Jubril, has thrown his weight behind the financial reforms being carried out by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, stating that they are right steps capable of transforming the financial sector of the Nigerian economy.
Speaking during an oversight visit to the OAGF in Abuja, Jubril said the committee was aware and satisfied with the implementation of the financial reforms so far.
Jubril, who was on the visit with the members of the committee, however, urged the Accountant-General of the Federation, Chief Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla, to give more emphasis on IPPIS, especially in the areas of education and capacity building for all those concerned in the formulation, implementation and usage of the programmes.
Earlier, Otunla had briefed the visiting lawmakers on the various reforms being carried out in the OAGF and the finance sector generally.
The Accountant-General explained that the little hitches being experienced in the implementation of the reforms were being worked on, assuring them that the integrated payment system for all the ministries, departments and agencies would soon be perfected.
Otunla said the office places high premium on education and capacity building for its staff and the finance sector generally, disclosing that it was as a result of this that the office embarked on the establishment of the Federal Treasury Academy, a specialised university for people in the accountancy field.
According to the AGF, the Treasury Academy, located in Orozo, Abuja was being built to meet international standards.
Commenting on the visit, Otunla said the routine oversight function by members of the National Assembly was a platform for understanding the dynamics of the functions and the roles of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation in the financial accountability of the government of the federation.