LGSC, Audit Commission Deepen Collaboration to Enhance Accountability
By Inemesit Friday
The Cross River State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) and the Audit Service Commission have reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen collaboration aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency in local government administration across the state.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the Audit Service Commission to his office in Calabar, the Chairman of the LGSC, Mr. Darlington Bassey Eyo, lauded the Commission for its consistent efforts in upholding financial discipline within the system. He emphasized that while audits are sometimes viewed with suspicion, they remain indispensable tools for ensuring integrity and curbing waste in public institutions.
Mr. Bassey underscored the importance of checks and balances in governance, revealing that the recent staff audit conducted through the Office of the Auditor General for Local Governments led to the discovery and removal of ghost workers. According to him, about one thousand names were deleted from the payroll, while two hundred were struck off the pension list, saving the government millions of naira that had previously been lost to fraudulent practices.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Audit Service Commission and former Auditor General of the state, Pastor (Dr.) Chris Nyong, said the visit was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between both commissions for improved service delivery. He noted that collaboration between oversight institutions is essential for achieving efficiency, transparency, and accountability at the grassroots level.
Dr. Nyong reiterated that auditors are not part of the financial management process but serve as independent evaluators whose duty is to ensure compliance and identify financial irregularities. He emphasized that maintaining the independence of auditors is critical to sustaining public trust and good governance.
“Our visit is to reaffirm our readiness to work in harmony with the Local Government Service Commission for the good of the state. The independence of the audit function is a pillar of accountability, and it must be preserved at all times,” he said.
Those present from the Audit Service Commission included Sir Charley J. Arako, Deputy Chairman; Emmanuel B. Effiong, Commissioner I; Emmanuel A. Ayanko, Commissioner II; Bartholomew U. Amake, Commissioner III; and Bassey E. Ekanem, Commissioner IV. Others were Barr. Ikoi E. Ikona, Commissioner V; Mr. Oden Ofem, Auditor General for Local Governments (Ex-Officio); Mr. Bassey A. Eko, Secretary of the Commission; and Mrs. Ann E. Duke, Information Officer.
