The President of the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, Ogakwu Dominic, has said that the rigorous screening process to select an Accountant General for the Federation must be merit-based.
He added that it must be focused on credentials, past and present work experience, competence, capacity and character viz-a-viz the principles of accountability, integrity and transparency.
This is as he faulted the process of permanent secretary selection. Ogakwu stated this while addressing the press on the recruitment process of the Accountant General of the Federation in Abuja on Monday.
He lauded the relevant authorities for ensuring that all candidates shortlisted for the position of AGF are meticulously screened by the relevant authorities.
Ogakwu said, “As civil society organisation, our position is that at the end of the process of recruitment, five out of the most qualified candidates should emerge, one out of which can then be appointed as Accountant General of the Federation.
“The crux of the matter is that we want the screening process to de-emphasize the obsolete use of examination as the major determinant for recruiting the Accountant General of the Federation, given the pivotal and influential functions of the office on our national economy. After all, it is now visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that examination is not the true test of knowledge – a cursory look at some public stewards in offices today lends credence to this fact.
“In any case, applying the same ineffective recruitment process of appointing Permanent Secretaries in the recruitment and appointment into the sacred office of the Accountant General of the Federation, can be counterproductive for our country as it robs the nation of valuable human resources, by focusing on process rather than products and by so doing, appointing the highest bidders and schemers instead of the best fit for the job”, he said.
Speaking further, he said, ““Let it be on record that, the position of the CSOs is premised on a trending allegation that the former Accountant General of the Federation, who is currently standing trial for corruption, embezzlement and looting of the Federation’s treasury to the tune of N109 billion did pay handsomely during his screening examination, thereby procuring the position of AGF like some commodity at a trade fair which was auctioned to the highest bidder. Is it therefore any wonder that the man spent his days in office frantically recouping his “investments” and repaying his “investors” who facilitated his fraudulent emergence as AGF through the corrupt screening examination?.
“Our country today is in a state of complete financial disaster and only a Nigerian with a proven track record in revenue generation, expertise in financial management, alongside a vast experience in people management, can rescue us from total implosion.
“The next Accountant General of the Federation must be someone who can diplomatically facilitate a healthy synergy with the three arms of government, catalyze a robust and cost-effective inter-agency cooperation in order to lower the cost of governance and must be able to work harmoniously and seamlessly with his or her principal – the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning – for the smooth implementation of government financial implementation framework 2022 – 2025, vis-a-vis the monetary and fiscal policy of government.
“Furthermore, the preferred candidate must be able to account for all international funds accruable to the country, inclusive of Aids, Credits, Grants and Loans from international agencies.
“Finally, it is our considered opinion in the Civil Society that the office of the AGF is so critical to the rescue mission of Nigeria that, public interest trumps personal interest at this watershed moment, when the nation stands precariously at a precipice of serious security crises and consequently our economy is in tatters with the Naira on a freefall against the dollar, leaving Nigerians at a crossroads with increasing inflation in the face of decreasing revenue generation, amidst multiple taxations and dwindling hope”.
