‘Auditing not a life-sentence’, Yemi Esan tells 21- Man Committee to rejuvenate Ministry of Defence for improved security

Speaking to a 21 Man Committee set-up by President Muhammadu Buhari on rejuvenation of the Ministry of Defence to ensure improvement in security, Dr. Yemi-Esan stressed the need to ensure accountability in the scheme of organisational administration.

‘‘Any organisation that is not audited cannot improve. Auditing is not a life-sentence but a means to correct what is being done wrongly’’ she stated.

According to her, the Financial Act of 2020 has included defence as a procurement entity in the scheme of things.

The Head of Service also stressed the need for continuous training of both Civilian and Military personnel in order to enhance effective service delivery.

On discipline, she stressed the need to deepen disciplinary measures in any organisation, adding that if a wrong doer is not punished, the system will not endure’’.

Dr. Yemi-Esan further emphasized that non-sensitive information should be communicated to the general public, adding that Defence policy should not be kept under wraps but should be in the public domain.

While stressing that government come and go, Dr. Yemi-Esan said the Civil Service remains the custodian of records, data and also a mine of historical events. She therefore emphasised the need for the Civil Service to be politically neutral and Impartial in the discharge of its functions.

The HOCSF highlighted obstacles to reform within any system to include; resistance by entrenched forces who are beneficiaries of the status quo, legal issues and tying reforms to individuals rather than making it systemic as well as lack of processes of monitoring and evaluation.

The chairman of the 21-Man committee on reformation of Ministry of Defence, AVM Muhammad Umar Ndatsu (rtd). thanked the HOCSF for a well delivered lecture, adding that her words of wisdom will go a long way in enhancing the work of the committee.