The UK-based Department for International Development (DFID) and the Lagos State Government are implementing ACL audit software in Lagos`s Auditor General State Office to automate data, create efficiency and bring transparency to government.
The ACL software will enable auditors to analyse data from the computerised accounting system, which Lagos State introduced in the last few years, says Eamon Cassidy, head of DFID Nigeria.
The software can block any gaps in the data network as it covers 100% of the available data, he notes. ``By covering all data, the system can isolate weaknesses in the system and eliminate the problem, bringing in higher state revenues.``
The implementation of the N4.8 million (R267 000) ACL audit software is part of DFID`s State and Local Government Programme (SLGP).
Lagos State has two auditor general`s offices, one dealing with the state government and one dealing with local governments. SLGP is supporting both auditor general`s offices with staff training, as well as software, he says.
Cassidy says Lagos is the most populous state in Nigeria, with an estimated population of as much as 15 million, with a need to implement strong bureaucratic institutions to support the state.
SLGP is supporting several areas of financial management reform in Lagos - particularly revenue collection and audit with the World Bank, which is supporting other improvements in expenditure management.
Priorities for SLGP support are agreed with the state government, and approved by DFID, on a six-monthly basis, he says.
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