Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
The Project Coordinator, Osun State and Local Government Reform, SLOGOR, Project, EU/World Bank Assisted, Mr. Yemi Ijidele, has disclosed that the financial statement of the state for 2015 would soon be made available to the public.
This, he said, would be the first time that the financial statement would be made available to the public in the history of Osun State.
Ijidele, who disclosed this during a chat with Journalists in his office on Wednesday, said that the audit forum would hold in the next two weeks.
According to him, “We are conducting audit forum for the financial statement of 2015. The benefit of this is that members of the general public for the first time in the history of Osun will have the benefit of laying hand to the audited account of the state.
This, according to him will go a long way to establish and demonstrate the openness of the current administration in ensuring transparency in their financial transaction.
Ijidele, disclosed that the agency is also supporting the state government to enable it meet the condition for obtaining the federal government loan.
He noted that the current economic recession has affected budget implementation of many states, saying efforts have been made to make Osun state qualify for budget support.
According to Ijidele, Osun people have been evading tax for a long time. He said “we are supporting the internal revenue to make sure that tax evaders pay their tax”.
The SLOGOR’s boss, commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the state for providing conducive environment to operate in the state, noting that they have achieved in the area of Public Procurement Law.
Part of the SLOGOR’s Project Objectives as informed by Ijidele, includes, to Improve Quality, Transparency and Accountability in Public Financial Management Across the Participating States. Improving Service Delivery through Capacity Development for Public Officials and Building Virile Institution for efficient Internal and External Audit Functions.
Others are, Strengthening Budget Planning, Implementation and Performance Tracking, Improving Tax Administration and Right’s of Taxpayers, Promoting Competitive, Fairness and Value for money in public procurement and Strengthening Legal and Institutional Framework for Efficient PFM Administration.
The European Union, EU participating States in Nigeria are: Osun, Anambra, Cross-River, Kano, Yobe and Jigawa while the State and Local Governance Reform (SLOGOR) Project is been funded by European Union/World Bank, Ijidele added.
Reported by Richard Akintade, Osogbo
