The Cross River State Auditor-General Comrade John M. Odey (FCNA) has called for financial propriety by Government Organisations warning that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who do not properly retire what they receive as overhead and capital funds would have their salaries withheld until there are retired properly and promptly.

Comrade Odey who stated this while speaking on the need to maintain a transparent accounting system said it has become crucial given the nonchalant attitude of some MDAs to Government Finances.

While commending some MDAs who have performed creditably well, Comrade Odey described the inability of some MDAs to balance their records as “totally unacceptable and admonished the relevant officials of such MDAs to “ensure that their books are kept in accordance with laid down procedures taking into consideration the accounting concept and principles” adding that erring MDAs will henceforth be appropriately sanctioned.

The Cross River State Auditor-General explained that the $20.4Million SIFTAS Grant recently awarded to the State was on the grounds that “we spent our monies prudently, were transparent in our dealings and had full accountability for all our financial transactions” maintaining that the need for financial propriety cannot be overemphasized especially at this time where resources are scarce.

Comrade Odey assured of his continued commitment to work closely with the State Ministry of Finance, Internal Revenue Service, Office of the Accountant-General and other critical Stakeholders in the revenue and finance sectors to ensure that Cross River State is not short-changed and “all that is due the State is paid and received appropriately”