by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
At a workshop for Accounts held in Jos, accountants in Plateau State together with those in the Office of the Accountant-General have been charged to elevate their professional competencies to enable them compete favourably with their counterparts in other states of the federation.
The State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, made this known on Monday at the opening of a four-day capacity-building workshop, with the theme: ‘Understanding Public Finance Management in a Modern Economy,’ organized by the Office of the Accountant-General, Plateau State, held at Crest Hotel, Jos.
While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive atmosphere for civil servants to advance in their careers, Mutfwang emphasized the pivotal role of accountants as “custodians of Plateau heritage.”
He pointed out that, “In every department you serve, you represent the Office of the Accountant-General, and it is imperative to recognize the weight of this responsibility. You are entrusted with public trust, and ensuring competency is crucial for accountability and efficient service delivery,” he stated.
He said, while expecting their accountants in the Accountant-General’s Office to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their counterparts in Lagos and global financial institutions, this should transcend mere bookkeeping; they possess multidisciplinary skills encompassing economics, sociology, political science, and historical foresight to forecast future economic trends.
Speaking earlier, Barr. Rauta Dakok, Head of Civil Service, highlighted the governor’s commitment to manpower development, and urged civil servants to reciprocate the gesture by optimizing government services.
Commissioner for Finance, Plateau State, Hon. Grace Shwarta Dongkum, underscored the significance of the workshop in enhancing participants’ skills for effective service delivery.
In the same vein, Accountant-General, Plateau State, Mrs. Naanret Manset, expressed gratitude to Governor Mutfwang for approving the workshop, and pledged unwavering commitment to its objectives. She was optimistic that at the end, the training will have a transformative impact on operations of her office.