By Emmanuel Abi Couson
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has received in audience a delegation of the Conference of Auditors-General of Local Governments in Nigeria to discuss issues related to accountability and transparency in the effective management of financial resources in the public sector.
The Auditors-General were at Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday as part of activities of their 28th National Conference that is ongoing in Rivers State.
Chairman of the Conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments in Nigeria, Atiku Musa, who led the delegation, spoke to newsmen after the closed door meeting and reflected on his exposure to some unfriendly-media projections that created an impression that is quite different from what he has come to see and witness.
Musa, who is also the Auditor General for Local Governments, Kaduna State, said it is much better to experience Rivers State in person in order to have the correct perception of its people, of the comforting peaceful atmosphere and rich hospitality of the people of Rivers State.
He said, “The discussion is centred on our Annual Conference which is the 28th Conference that is being held here by Rivers State Governor. So, we are here to thank him for accepting to host the conference on behalf of the Conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments.
“We appreciate him. He has done a very wonderful thing. We told him that we found Rivers State peaceful and accommodating, and I appreciate their hospitality.
“You know, when you read newspapers, the news your are hearing, you will see different things. But when I came into Rivers State, I found out that the State is very peaceful.”
Musa expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for agreeing to approve that the conference be hosted in Rivers State, which has availed them the opportunity to interact among themselves towards achieving their purpose.
“This conference was scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt two years ago, but we don’t know the problem until this administration came into being, and the Governor accepted to host the conference on behalf of the Conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments.
“And the good thing is that he is also an accountant, so we appreciate that. You know accountants are good managers.
“I really appreciate the government, people and the Governor of Rivers State for their hospitality. Since we arrived here, we have been accommodated, we have been taken care of, so it’s wonderful.”
