Osun commissioner Urges Civil Society Organizations To Participate Actively In Project Monitoring

Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Bola Oyebamiji

The Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Bola Oyebamji has called on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to participate actively in the monitoring of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s infrastructural development projects in the State.

He said project monitoring is key to acceptability by various agencies locally and internationally just as it would also help to promote public financial transparency on the part of government.

Oyebamiji made the remarks in an address presented at a 2-day Round-Table discussion Tagged ‘’Promoting State and Local Governance Reform Objective (SLOGOR) among Civil Society Organizations”, at the Aurora Conference and Events Center, Osogbo.

The financial expert who said the CSOs are important to the success of any government, stressed the need for them to be more proactive to getting information on how public finances are spent in projects to make for transparency, quality and accountability as espoused in SLOGOR’s mission.

According to him, “The state government under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has since inception prioritized implementation of Public Expenditure Management and Financial Accountability Review (PEMFAR) recommendations. It has also implemented electronic payment of all revenues which has drastically increased the State Internaly Generated Revenue.

“The much that has been achieved within the space of PFM reform in the country and in particular, Osun State has not been maximally reported. With increasing evidences that good governance cannot be achieved without sound and improved demand-side of governance; strengthening capacities of the press, the civil society organizations, faith-based organizations and organized associations with appropriate financial investigate skill and reporting has become critical in closing the existing gaps”.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Project Coordinator, State and Local Governance Reform, SLOGOR, Mr Yemi Ijidele commended the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for the implementation of electronic payment and collection of all revenues which have drastically increased the State Internally Generated Revenue( IGR ) and also reduced leakages to the barest minimum in the State.

Ijidele, enumerated some of the achievements of SLOGOR project which include capacity buildings for members of Public Account Committee (PAC) and Finance Account Committee (FAC)of both executive and Osun State House of Assembly, organizing annual Audit Forum where State Financial Account was,presented to the general public, Roadmap for Devolution of functions and Authority to Local Governments as well as the purchase of equipment and furniture items.

Ijidele, then enjoined Civil society organizations and the press to support the state government for the betterment of the state.

Similarly, the representative of SLOGOR at the programme, Prof Akintola Bello said the SLOGOR project is working towards realizing its aims of enhancing accountability and prudence in public financial management.

He said the World Bank and EU financed initiative will encourage citizens to ask questions from government on how public finances are spent to ensure transparency.

Meanwhile, the representatives of the Civil Societies at the programme called on Nigerians to be active and participate in project monitoring as it is their right to know how their taxes, levies and funds are used to develop the society.