Plateau Assembly Praises Mutfwang Over Financial Transparency Move

(House of Assembly. Photo Credit:Punch News)

After receiving the audited financial statements for the 2025 fiscal year from the state government and the 17 local government councils, the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly praised Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his “unwavering commitment to the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability.”

The audited financial statements for Plateau State and its 17 local government councils were presented during plenary on Monday and laid before the House of Assembly by the Speaker, Naanlong Gapyil.

Gapyil confirmed the development on Tuesday in a statement issued by his media aide, Philip Eplong, explaining that the submission came from the Office of the Auditor-General for the State and the Auditor-General for Local Governments, in line with constitutional provisions on accountability in public finance.

Laying the reports before the House, the Speaker said the exercise was carried out pursuant to Section 125(2) and Section 125(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), explaining that the former requires the Auditor-General for the State to submit audited accounts of the state government.

While the latter mandates the Auditor-General for Local Governments to submit audited accounts of all local government councils in the state to the House of Assembly.

He further cited Sections 36(1–3) and 22(1)(c) of the Plateau State Audit Law, 2021, which require the House to conduct a detailed examination of all audit reports to ensure transparency, accountability and value for money in public expenditure.

Following the presentation, the House, exercising its constitutional oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution, resolved to refer both the state and the local government councils’ audited financial statements to its Committee on Public Accounts and Petitions for thorough consideration.

The committee was tasked with examining all financial records to ensure compliance with approved estimates, financial regulations and due process; identifying any cases of financial irregularities.

Misapplication or waste of public funds at both state and local government levels; inviting relevant accounting officers and stakeholders for explanations where necessary; and submitting a comprehensive report with recommendations to the House for further legislative action.

The House also commended Governor Mutfwang for the prompt submission of the reports.

The Speaker described the timely submission of the audited financial statements for both the state and local governments as a clear demonstration of the governor’s integrity.

And respect for the rule of law, noting that by submitting the reports as and when due, the governor had set a standard for fiscal discipline and shown that his administration has nothing to hide.

He added that the action reflects a government open to scrutiny and committed to ensuring that public resources are managed in the best interest of the people of Plateau State.

Gapyil further stressed that effective oversight of public accounts remains a cardinal responsibility of the legislature and a critical tool for promoting prudent resource management, noting that the exercise would help ensure that funds appropriated for the people of Plateau State, at both state and local government levels, are properly utilised for development.

He urged the Committee on Public Accounts and Petitions to carry out its assignment with fairness, diligence and strict adherence to the rule of law, and reaffirmed the 10th Assembly’s resolve to continue working in synergy with the executive, under the governor’s leadership, to deepen transparency, accountability and good governance for the overall development and prosperity of Plateau State.