The Rivers State Government has called on auditors in the state civil service to strengthen their proficiency in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance the quality and efficiency of their work.
The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Benibo Anabraba made the call yesterday while addressing participants at a two-day capacity-building workshop themed “Auditing for Impact: Current Strategies for Detecting Emerging Cyber Crimes and Implementing Budget Collaboration in Government MDAs.”
Declaring the training open in Port Harcourt, Anabraba stressed that auditors must go beyond basic ICT compliance.
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He noted that it is their responsibility to understand the intricacies of auditing, accounting, and ICT interconnectivity to avoid being left behind in an era of rapid technological advancement.
“Information, Communication and Technology is transforming the world. You cannot be alive and not be aligned with ICT. As staff of the Rivers State Government, you have no excuse not to acquire basic ICT knowledge.
“At every point in time, you must pursue self-development, because the knowledge you gain will always make you stand out by improving your effectiveness and efficiency. We must open ourselves to innovation and meet global standards,” he said.
Anabraba added that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains committed to improving staff welfare and prioritising capacity development, particularly in ICT-related areas.
The Auditor-General of the state, Christian Yorkina, explained that the workshop’s theme was carefully designed to strengthen staff capacity and ensure compliance with emerging ICT applications.
“It is necessary to raise the consciousness of the staff of the Office of the Auditor-General to recent developments in cybercrime and collaborative budgeting.
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“This is crucial, considering the significant role we play in ensuring that there is value for every kobo released by the State Government,” he stated.
The programme also had in attendance the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Johnson.
