Kwara strengthens financial systems, presents laptops to LG staff
The Kwara State Government has distributed five laptop computers each to the 16 Local Government Areas of the State for use by their budget, finance and audit desk officers.
The initiative forms part of the Government’s efforts to promote the adoption of harmonised financial guidelines and the National Chart of Accounts (NCoA) under the State Human Capital Opportunity for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Programme – a World Bank-supported Programme-for-Results (PforR) initiative.
The HOPE Project focuses on key sectors including Governance (HOPE-GOV), Primary Healthcare (HOPE-PHC), and Basic Education (HOPE-EDU).
The five-day training, was themed: “Addressing Constraints in Basic Education, Primary Health Care, and Governance: Understanding the National Chart of Accounts (NCoA), International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), Budget Implementation Reporting (BIR) Framework, and Public Audit.”
Speaking at the closing session of a five-day residential training workshop organised for the officers, Hauwa Nuru, Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the HOPE Steering Committee, reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to ensuring that all local governments in Kwara adopt the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and other modern financial management frameworks.
She noted that strict adherence to these standards would enhance service delivery, transparency, and accountability in line with the strategic vision of the State Government.
Nuru urged participants to remain diligent and dedicated, emphasising that effective budgeting and sound financial management at the local government level are essential for aligning grassroots development priorities with the broader State development agenda.
She commended the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, for his consistent drive to promote excellence and reposition local government administration through institutional reforms and capacity building.
According to the Commissioner, the presentation of laptops underscored the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance systems, promoting transparency, and improving service delivery across all tiers of government.
Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed, the Press Secretary, Ministry of Finance quoted her as saying: “The HOPE Project is designed to address long-standing institutional and systemic gaps that hinder efficient service delivery at the local government level. “If these frameworks are properly adopted, they will ensure that budgets are well-prepared, expenditures properly tracked, and reports generated in line with national and international best practices.”
Participants, including local government chairmen, cabinet members, and finance officers, expressed appreciation to the State Government for harmonising financial reporting systems and equipping staff with the necessary tools to strengthen fiscal discipline at the grassroots level.
