The Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris has enjoined the officers of the Armed Forces currently undergoing training on the operations of GIFMIS
organized by the Office of the Accountant-General in Collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, to be diligent and attentive as the training is put together to expose them to the rudiments of GIFMIS to pave way for their independent use of the system.
Speaking further, the AGF who was represented at the opening ceremony of the two weeks training at Digital Bridge Institute Abuja, by Alhaji Salawu Zubeiru, disclosed that the overall objective of GIFMIS is to implement a computerized Financial Management Information System for the Federal Government which will be Efficient, Effective as well as User-Friendly; and has improved controls, easy access, useful for planning and improving on Accountability and Transparency.
He stated that the Government would not rest until it achieves an enhanced quality and quantity of services delivered to the people of Nigeria by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public expenditure. “In order to achieve this, besides initiatives, the Government is focusing on modernization (including communication) of systems and strengthening the capability for utilizing and maintaining information technology for Financial Management in order to increase the timeliness, quality and reliability of Financial Data.”
While encouraging them to be steadfast in grabbing adequate Knowledge in the course of the training, he reiterated the importance of understanding that Phase1 of GIFMIS deployment has been concluded and the Phase2 has commenced with about 35 MDAs already on it – using it - which translates that the trainees would be opportune to use a tested and trusted system.
The spokesperson of the Armed Forces, Brig. Gen. A.O Adesope who is the Director, Budget for the Nigeria Army expressed appreciation to the conveners on behalf of all the Forces; the Nigeria Army, the Navy and the Air force.
He declared their readiness to work together to achieve the desired goal. With him on the high table were, Air Commodor Oshomah, the Comdr Pay & Accounts Group (Airforce), Captain K.M Bushi, Asst. Dir. Accts. (Navy) and Col. J.E Osifo, the co-ordinator/Liason Officer was at hand to see that everything runs smoothly.
Earlier in his speech, the representative of the Minister for Finance, Mr. M.K Dikwa welcomed the participants to the training and elucidated the rudiments and importance, relevance and workability of GIFMIS to the Financial Management System of the Federal Government and thereafter declared the training open.