The Senate on Wednesday at plenary confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominee, Mr Aghughu Adolphus, for appointment as Auditor-General for the Federation.

The confirmation was a sequel to the presentation of a report of the Committee on Public Accounts by the Chairman, Sen. Urhoghide Mathew (PDP-Edo) which was considered during plenary.

Urhoghide, in his presentation, said that the committee, after screening, found the nominee qualified to be appointed, given his experiences, pedigree and performance over the years at the Audit House.

He said the nominee, when he appeared before the committee, was clearly told that the Senate and the nation expect him to justify the confidence reposed in him.

Urhoghide said the screening of the nominee clearly showed that the nominee displayed competence in matters of audit and public finance.

He said his responses on issues of audit and public finance were satisfactory and beyond the expectations of the committee.

He added that the nominee has sufficient experience to occupy the office of the Auditor-General for the Federation if eventually confirmed by the Senate.

“Consequently, the committee, having been satisfied on his qualifications, performance and suitability of the nominee, recommends him for confirmation by the Senate as Auditor-General for the Federation,” he said.

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, in his remarks, after the confirmation, said the National Assembly and the executive are to ensure that the auditor-general remains truly autonomous and independent.

“We have achieved so much by giving the auditor –general the financial autonomy which he requires, but I think we can do better as a government.

“The Audit House is still not a befitting headquarters for the office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.

“The auditor-general needs office accommodation, like the Treasury House, like the EFCC office complex, where it can accommodate all its staff to carry out their auditing jobs.

“A situation where the audit staff are resident in the organisations where they should audit is unacceptable.

“So, we need to do a lot more to support the Auditor-General for the Federation to be more effective and efficient,” he said. (NAN)

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