From Mu’awiya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Government has engaged accountants and payment initiators in a capacity-building workshop aimed at addressing operational gaps and strengthening the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
The Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Bello Kagara, disclosed this in Katsina during a one-day follow-up capacity-building workshop for accountants and payment initiators involved in TSA implementation.
Kagara said the training was part of the state government’s efforts to enhance the efficiency, transparency and accountability of its financial management system.
He said the government was committed to regularly training personnel involved in the TSA process to improve their skills and address emerging operational challenges.
According to him, the workshop would enable participants to identify gaps in the TSA process and recommend practical measures to improve its operations.
The commissioner urged participants to actively engage with the facilitators and raise issues affecting the smooth implementation of the system.
He described TSA operators as critical stakeholders because they are directly involved in the day-to-day implementation of the system.
Kagara said the government had identified some challenges in the expenditure process, including gaps in the treatment of payment vouchers (PVs), appropriations and checks and balances.
He urged officers responsible for the process to pay close attention to such issues and ensure strict compliance with established procedures.
The commissioner also disclosed that instances had been identified where payments were made into accounts that were not those of the intended beneficiaries.
He said the identified lapses were being addressed through improved strategies and stronger controls within the financial management system.
Kagara stressed that effective implementation of the TSA required operators to clearly identify challenges and communicate them to the relevant technical authorities for prompt resolution.
He said the objective was not necessarily to achieve a perfect system, which might not be possible, but to build an efficient system in which all stakeholders consistently put in their best.
“We cannot have a perfect operation, but all we want is an efficient system. Perfection is not possible, but we must ensure that we put in our best,” he said.
The commissioner assured participants that recommendations arising from the workshop would be given serious consideration by the state government and relevant authorities.
He urged the participants to maintain high ethical standards, competence, commitment and the right attitude in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Kagara also appreciated the organisers and facilitators for their collaboration with the state government in strengthening the TSA implementation process.
He expressed confidence that continuous capacity building and stakeholder engagement would contribute significantly to improving efficiency, accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.