The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris has expressed the commitment of the Treasury under his leadership to fully implement all the Public Finance Management (PFM) reforms, particularly the Integrated personnel payment Information system, (IPPIS) as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Recieving the National Coordinator and Chief Executive officer of SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli and the management Team of SERVICOM at his office in Abuja recently, the AGF explained that the office being a service oriented organisation, whose dual role as the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Government is very committed to delivering on Government’s plans and programmes.
Speaking further, Mr. Idris emphasized that “our implementation of the public finance management (PFM) reforms; IPPIS, TSA, GIFMIS and IPSAS just to mention a few, which is largely being driven by information and communication technology (ICT), is a clear demonstration of our commitment to efficiency, effectiveness and transparency in delivering service in line with international best practice”
Responding to allegations being faced by the office on the enrollement of the Nigeria police force on the IPPIS platform , the AGF explained that “on that IPPIS, we have presently, about 480 MDAs and over 685,000 personnel being paid without hitches or complaints, why will it be only the police that are complaining? “
The AGF explained that since the Nigeria police just migrated their salaries to the IPPIS platform, and given their numerical strength and other peculiarities associated with the Nigerian police, there are bound to be some challenges. According to him, “these challenges are being resolved through the multiple help desks established in the Treasury and other police commands across the nation”.
Furthermore on the issue of shotfalls in payments, the AGF explained that these may not be unconnected to a number of statutory deductions which are in the plaform ,such as the National Housing Fund, (NHF) which is 2.5% of basic , and tax which is also calculated according to one’s earnings, but were previously not properly deducted.
Mr. Idris reassured Nigerians, especially those working in the public service, of the commitment of the Treasury to partner with all stakeholders to actualise a seamless implementation of the IPPIS and further said that plans are being completed to commence migration of the military in the IPPIS plaform. He therfore called for the understanding and corporation of all stakeholders to improve public finance management in the country.
Earlier in her address, the SERVICOM Coordiantor, Mrs. Akajemeila expressed satisfaction with the activities of the Accountant-General of the Federation in the discharge of his duties.
“We want to appreciate and commend you for the timely release of funds and salaries and for the good job you are doing to entrench transparency and accountability in the runing of government business” She said.
“We also appreciate all the reforms which you are implementing and we attest that they are in line with the SERVICOM principles and practices, transaprency, improved efficiency, service delivery and value for money” the SERVICOM Coordinator maintained.
Mrs. Akajemelia further revealed that in view of the observations they have made as they monitor service delivery in the MDAs, SERVICOM intends to institute a reward system for all MDAs that excel in delivering service for the Nigerian people.
According to her, SERVICOM will soon make public the criteria for the awards and urged all public officers to ensure that true service to the people remains their guiding principle.
Oise D Johnson
Head of Press and Public Relations (OAGF)
