The Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, (ICAN)has commended the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, for his commitment to accountable and transparent leadership which has now been acknowledged by the World Bank.
Speaking while on a courtesy visit to the Governor office in Akure, the 56th President ICAN, Dame Onome Adewuyi noted the passion demonstrated by Governor Akeredolu in the effective management of Public Finance in Ondo State.
The ICAN President was particularly happy that various legislations have been enacted by the Arakunrin Akeredolu administration to institutionalise Public Finance Management practices in line with ICAN Accountability Index, thereby putting the Sunshine State on global reckoning.
Onome Adewuyi stated that the signing into law the Ondo State Public Finance Management Law, Ondo State Fiscal Responsibility Law, Ondo State Public Procurement Law and Ondo Public Audit Law has shown that transparency is now deeply entrenched in governance in Ondo State under the watch of Arakunrin Akeredolu.
The ICAN President said the laudable steps of the Akeredolu led administration have put Ondo State in sound financial standing in compliance with internationally-recognised Public Financial Management system which she said has made the state become one of the beneficiaries of the performance-based grant component of the World Bank-assisted States Fiscal Transparency and Accountability and Sustainability,SFTAS, programme.
While pledging the continued support of ICAN to the State Government, Dame Onome Adewuyi used the occasion to make case for the employment of more Chartred Accountants into the State Civil Service.
The ICAN President informed the governor that her visit to the state was to inaugurate Akoko and District Society of ICAN and lay the foundation of ICAN Resource Centre in Akungba Akoko all in a bid to bring the activities of the Institute closer to the people.
In his response, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN appreciated ICAN for being a worthy partner in promoting the values of good governance.
He said the various legislation brought into operation by his government were part of the deliberate policies of his administration to utilise the resources of the state for the development of the state.
Governor Akeredolu stated that the implementation of the financial regulation legislations have brought more support and patronage to the state from some global Development Partners.
He assured that his administration would remain focused on steps that will give Ondo State more leverage at improving the standard of lives of residents of the state.
Arakunrin Akeredolu lauded the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa and the State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan for being excellent managers of state resources.