Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has called on auditors across the country to uphold accountability and transparency in public finance management, stressing that effective auditing remains critical to good governance and public trust.
The governor made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 55th Biennial Conference of the Body of Federal and State Auditors-General held in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Uzodimma said accountability was a fundamental principle of governance and one of the key motivations behind the enactment of the Imo State Audit Law 2021, which was designed to strengthen the financial independence and institutional capacity of the State Audit Office.
According to the governor, the law was part of the state government’s broader efforts to promote transparency, prudent management of public resources and improved service delivery to citizens.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Safeguarding Public Resources and Enhancing Citizens’ Trust: The Strategic Role of Auditor-Generals,” Uzodimma emphasized that auditors have responsibilities that go beyond examining financial records.
He noted that auditors must also ensure that government expenditure delivers tangible value to citizens and contributes to development outcomes.
The governor urged auditors-general to remain committed to their oversight responsibilities by not only identifying financial irregularities but also ensuring that appropriate corrective actions are taken to address them.
He further encouraged participants to preserve their professional independence and maintain the courage to ask difficult questions whenever public funds are mismanaged or accountability standards are compromised.
Uzodimma noted that strong audit institutions are essential for safeguarding public resources, enhancing transparency and strengthening citizens’ confidence in government.
The conference brought together federal and state auditors-general, public finance experts and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for improving accountability and promoting effective governance across Nigeria.
