From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to deploy a digital interface that will unify and integrate the accounting and reporting systems of all donor-funded projects in the country.
The initiative, announced at the maiden retreat of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) for project coordinators in Abuja on Wednesday, is aimed at ensuring transparency and real-time monitoring of more than 50 ongoing federal projects.
Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, said the platform will provide online reporting to stakeholders and strengthen accountability in the use of borrowed funds.
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“This retreat is a testament to our commitment to enhancing the financial management of federal projects. We have been entrusted with not just public funds, but borrowed public funds which must be repaid in time, either in our generation or that of our children,” Ogunjimi stated.
Represented by a Director, Joshua Luka, he explained that discussions are ongoing with partners, including the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), to support the implementation of the new system.
The AGF charged coordinators to protect Nigeria’s economic future by ensuring borrowed resources translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
“Our projects must not just meet donor expectations but must also deliver real impact on Nigerians,” he said.
The World Bank’s senior financial management specialist, Mr Akram Elshorbagi, urged project coordinators to embrace the platform, stressing that social safety net programmes would only be impactful if properly executed.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Cash Transfer Office, Abdullahi Immam, called on the government to design poverty alleviation initiatives that empower beneficiaries rather than serve as mere handouts.
Immam said the conditional cash transfer project should be used to empower beneficiaries rather than simply being a cash gift programme that does not lift people out of poverty.
“It should be used to empower the beneficiaries,” he stated.
Similarly, the NG-CARES National Coordinator, Karim Obaje, raised concerns that poverty and hunger remain on the rise despite interventions, urging a review of strategies to deliver sustainable results.
The retreat is expected to produce a roadmap for stronger financial oversight and collaboration among stakeholders.
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