The Katsina State Government has trained accountants and payment initiators to address operational gaps and improve the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The Commissioner for Finance, Bello Kagara, made this known in Katsina at a one-day follow-up capacity building workshop for TSA implementation accountants and initiators.

Kagara said that the training was part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen the efficiency, transparency and accountability of its financial management system.

He said that the government was committed to periodic training of personnel involved in the TSA process to enhance their skills and address emerging operational challenges.

According to him, the training will enable participants to identify gaps in the TSA process and recommend practical measures for improving its operations.

The commissioner urged the participants to raise issues affecting the smooth implementation of the system with the facilitators.

He said that the operators of the TSA were critical stakeholders because they were directly involved in its day-to-day implementation.

Kagara said the government had identified some challenges in the expenditure processes, including gaps in the treatment of payment vouchers, appropriations as well as checks and balances.

He urged officers responsible for the process to pay close attention to such issues and ensure that proper procedures were followed.

The commissioner also said that instances had been discovered where payments were made into accounts that were not the intended beneficiaries.

He said the identified lapses were being addressed through improved strategies and stronger controls within the financial management system.

Kagara said effective implementation of the TSA required the operators to identify challenges and communicate them to the relevant technical authorities for prompt resolution.

He stressed that the objective was not to achieve a perfect system, which he said might not be possible, but to build an efficient system in which all stakeholders will consistently put in their best.

“We cannot have a perfect operation, but all we want is an efficient system. Perfection is not possible, but we must ensure that we put in our best,” he said.

The commissioner assured participants that recommendations arising from the workshop would be given serious consideration by the state government and relevant authorities.

He urged the participants to demonstrate high ethical standards, competence, commitment and the right attitude in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Kagara also appreciated the organisers and facilitators for their collaboration with the state government in strengthening the TSA implementation.

He said the government looked forward to receiving useful recommendations from the workshop that would further improve the state’s financial operations.

The commissioner expressed confidence that continuous capacity building and stakeholder engagement would contribute significantly to achieving greater efficiency, accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.

NAN