By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed on Tuesday inaugurated an inter-ministerial task force charged with full implementation of Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
The programme was developed by different government agencies to enhance effectiveness of government financial activities.
Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, the Minister said, the programme was jointly developed by the OAGF, BOF, DMO, CBN and FIRS in consultations with other stakeholders.
According to her, “the GIFMIS is part of pillar 3 of the National Strategy for Public Service Reform aimed at making the Nigerian Public service world class anchored on optimum service delivery to the citizenry.
“The overall objective of government is to implement a computerized financial management informalion system for the FGN which is efficient, effective and and increases the ability of federal government to undertake central control and monitorirng of expenditure and receipts in the MDAS as well as Increase the ability to access information on financial and operational performance.
“It also aims at increasing internal controls to prevent and detect potential and actual fraud, access to information on Govenment’s cash position and improves medium term planning through Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF),” she explained.
The Minister said the inauguration of the committee demonstrates government’s committment in ensuring accountability and transparency in the Armed Forces and other paramilitary agencies
She charged the task force to look into the concerns raised with regard to full GIFMIS implementation with the sole aim of addressing them fo ensure successful implementation of the system.
According to her, the concerns with regards to Military and the Intelligence Agencies covert operational expenses and other non-regular allowances for personnel and officers which are mainly cash based.
The committee which is expected to find solutions to the concerns raised has three weeks to conclude and submit its report.
Terms of reference of the Committee include, “Review the application of GIFMIS in the Armed Forces for Budget Preparation and review the application of GIFMIS in the Armed Forces for Bottom-up Cash Planning,”
Others are, review the application of GIFMIS in the Armed Forces for Procurement and Commitment Management Process among others
In his remarks, the Accountant General of the federation, Ahmed Idris said the GIFMIS serves as an integral item in Pillar 3 of National Asset in public service.
According to him, the system has been in place eight years ago, although it is not popular among MDAs, which is why his office is driving the process in managing government resources effectively.
“The GIFMIS kicked off since 2012 with 93 pilot MDAs and we have over 800 MDAs at all levels who are using it for budget implementation. Today, 105 MDAs deploy all functionalities of GIFMIS effectively.
“The ministerial task force will see to the implementation of the programme in the armed forces and other security forces of the paramilitary,” he said.
