Plateau State educates finance personnel, aims to strengthen fiscal responsibility

n n

The Plateau State Government has launched a four-day capacity-building workshop for treasury officers aimed at strengthening financial discipline, professionalism, and accountability in the public service.

n

The workshop which began in Jos on Tuesday will end on Friday.

n

Themed “Public Financial Management: Achieving Financial Excellence,” the training is organised by the Office of the Accountant General and is holding at Jongrand Hotel, Bukuru Expressway, Jos South Local Government Area.

n

Declaring the workshop open, Governor Caleb Mutfwang urged treasury officers to “prioritise excellence and continuous professional development.”He expressed concern over limited progress since a similar training in 2024, particularly in the area of professional certification.

n

“I direct that a list of staff without either ICAN or ANAN qualification be compiled for appropriate action,” he said.

n

As an incentive for performance, the governor announced that “the best five accountants in the state will be sponsored for international training” as part of the 2026 performance assessment criteria.

n

Mutfwang stressed that financial excellence begins with personal discipline and the right mindset.

n

“Technical competence must be complemented by continuous self-improvement,” he noted, adding that while Plateau is “rich in talent,” progress is often hindered by “limited commitment to self-development and a narrow professional outlook.”

n

He also pointed to ongoing reforms in the civil service, saying his administration has improved working conditions through the provision of office infrastructure, vehicles, and allowances. However, he observed that “these efforts are often underreported by beneficiaries.”

n

Addressing the broader economic realities, the governor said public resources remain limited while citizens’ expectations continue to rise.

n

He called for a shift from a consumption-driven to a production-oriented approach. “Instead of focusing on sharing, we must focus on generation,” he stated, warning against wastage in public expenditure and reaffirming the government’s commitment to tightening financial controls to ensure value for money.

n

“We must block loopholes, eliminate wastage, and ensure that every kobo spent delivers value,” he added, urging treasury officers to move beyond routine bookkeeping and become “true financial engineers” capable of strengthening the state’s financial capacity.

n

Commissioner for Finance, Grace Dongkum, described public financial management as “the backbone of good governance.”

n

She said the workshop reflects the government’s commitment to “strengthening accountability and transparency in the management of public resources,” noting that achieving financial excellence requires “continuous improvement, innovation, and adherence to global best practices adapted to local realities.”

n

Accountant General Nanre Manset said the workshop is designed to bridge existing capacity gaps by bringing together treasury personnel from both state and local government levels.

n

She expressed optimism that the training would “strengthen the treasury function” and commended the governor for his sustained support for civil service capacity development.

n

Head of Service, Stephen Pam Gadongs, charged participants to “internalise the principles of fiscal discipline, minimise errors in financial processes, and improve service delivery timelines.”

n

He stressed that “financial excellence is practical and measurable, ensuring that every naira delivers maximum value.”

n

Chairman of Jos South Local Government Council, Silas Dung, welcomed participants and described the hosting of the workshop as “a reflection of peace and stability in the area.”

n

He urged attendees to take full advantage of the training, noting that poor financial management has contributed significantly to challenges within Nigeria’s public sector.

n

The workshop is expected to serve as a platform for learning, dialogue, and practical engagement on key aspects of public financial management, with participants encouraged to share experiences and adopt best practices that will enhance efficiency and service delivery.

n n