The Chairman of the Cross River State House of Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Ntufam Victor Okon, has called on auditors in the state public service to uphold the ethics and standards of their profession, saying their reports are critical to identifying funding gaps and enabling government to address them through the budgetary process.
Okon gave the charge when he received a team of auditors at the House of Assembly Service Commission Complex during a routine audit visit to assess the Commission’s financial position and compliance with public sector financial regulations.
Welcoming the auditors, the Chairman expressed satisfaction with their visit, saying their independent assessment would provide government with a clearer understanding of the Commission’s financial situation and enable appropriate advice on issues requiring attention.
“I am happy you are here to see things for yourself,” Okon said, noting that the audit exercise would also serve as evidence of the financial constraints confronting the Commission.
He explained that the Commission had viable plans and experienced commissioners capable of repositioning the institution, but stressed that adequate funding remained essential to translating its plans into tangible results.
Okon expressed optimism that Governor Bassey Edet Otu would give the Commission the necessary attention and support, describing the Governor as a progressive-minded leader who, he said, was committed to improving the fortunes of the state.
The Chairman urged staff of the Commission to continue to demonstrate understanding and support for government, noting that dwindling public resources was not peculiar to Cross River State.
He further called on the staff to keep the Governor and the state in their prayers, particularly as the administration pursues initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s economic base.
Okon cited the Governor’s efforts to restore Cross River State to oil-producing status as one of the initiatives that could significantly transform the state’s economic fortunes, expressing optimism that the benefits would ultimately outweigh the challenges being experienced at present.
Earlier, the team leader, Ms. Victoria Bassey Etim, said the auditors were at the Commission as part of their routine official duties within the Civil Service to promote sound financial management and prevent poor financial performance and reporting by government establishments.
Etim explained that credible financial reporting was essential to safeguarding the integrity and rating of the administration, adding that the exercise was designed to ensure that accountability in the management of public funds was not compromised.
She said the auditors would examine the Commission’s financial records to ensure that they were maintained transparently, prevent diversion of public funds and ensure that retirements of funds were carried out promptly in accordance with financial regulations.
The team leader expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Commission’s Director of Accounts, Mr. David Ajoronor, describing him as an experienced and seasoned accountant with considerable versatility in the discharge of his responsibilities.
The audit exercise featured the inspection of the Commission’s financial records and an interactive session between the auditors and officials of the Commission.
Other members of the audit team included Mr. Essien Nyong, Head of Department and Supervisor; Mrs. Ekpoanwan Ekpenyong Nsa; Mrs. Mary Peter Imong; Mr. Joseph Ekpenyong Okon; and Miss Esther Akiba Ekpenyong.
By Iloke Egbe
