Yobe state has emerged first in the 2023 subnational Audit Efficacy index report on accountability and transparency in public funds after scoring 73% in public accountability and transparency.
The state which emerged first alongside Ekiti, outranked other states after winning second position in 2022 after an evaluation by Paradigm Leadership Initiative(Plsi), an internationally recognized civil society group that specialized in tracking public accountability and transparency in expenditure of public funds.
WikkiTimes understand that the organization tracked critical factors including getting value for public funds, audit legal framework and operationalization, annual activity report, publication of annual audit report, and performances in the assessment process.
Others were citizens’ account reports, civil societies and media participation reports, and monitoring and oversight functions of the legislative committee on public accounts.
Commenting over the achievement, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni assured that his administration would strengthen accountability and transparency in governance for effective service delivery and to get value for money.
A statement by Mamman Mohammed, Director General, Press and Media Affairs, Government House Damaturu noted that the governor said this today while responding to the first position clinched by Yobe state in the 2023 subnational Audit Efficacy index report on accountability and transparency in public funds.
“The state government, through the Fiscal Responsibility Board, instituted reforms in public finance which has translated into worthy investments, accountability and transparency in government transactions.
“I am glad to say that our audit department and institutions like the Bureau for Public Procurement are independent and ensure transparency and accountability of government expenditure, which has placed the state above board.
“We will continue to strengthen these institutions to promote accountability and transparency in every expenditure of public funds,” said Buni.
Other northern states that make it to the top list includes Katsina with 53% as third position while Gombe emerges fourth with 45%.
