By Ahmed Idris
President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday in Abuja that the federal government remains focused and more energised in ensuring accountability in the country, noting that enforcing the Treasury Single Account (TSA) was not optional for growth.
Receiving executives of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) led by Alhaji Shehu Usman Ladan at the Presidential Villa, the President said insistence on the financial structure required much sacrifice and focus on the part of the government as “accountability’’ was no longer optional.
“One of the cardinal objectives of this administration is that people and all government institutions must give account for what comes in and goes out.
“We did not introduce TSA, but we enforced it. TSA makes a lot of sense that you must have to give account for whatever comes in and goes out in government finance; that’s accountability,’’ he said.
The President urged accountants to remain focused and support the government in the ongoing fight against corruption, warning that they might not be liked by many people because of their professional ethics, but the sacrifice was necessary for the country to grow.
In his remarks, Alhaji Ladan, who is the President of ANAN, commended the President for the laudable achievements in ensuring an inclusive and strong economy by plugging leakages, and making youth empowerment and infrastructure top priority.
“This government has instilled fiscal discipline by plugging leakages,’’ he said, adding that Nigeria’s image in the comity of nations had also improved significantly, attracting more Foreign Direct Investments.
He said the President’s assent to the Not-Too-Young-To- Run bill further encouraged youth participation in governance, adding that the fight against terrorism was commendable as the Boko Haram insurgents had been degraded.
He also extolled government’s effort in getting the economy out of recession, and repositioning it for diversity through agriculture.
“Your second term, Mr President, will bring more succour to Nigerians,’’ he said.
