Stakeholders of the Finance Sector comprising State and Municipal Treasurers, Finance Controllers of the Southwest Region, have evaluated their performances from the month of January to June, 2015. This was during the second Regional Coordination meeting of Public Accountants that took place on August 7, 2015, in Kumba.

It took place under the chair of the Governor of the Southwest Region who was represented by the Inspector General at the Governor’s office, Haman Dairu. It aimed at evaluating the financial record of the Southwest Municipal Treasurers and Finance Controllers of the 2014 financial year.

The meeting was also to sensitize Public Accountants on the importance of their jobs, the need to remain conscious while respecting the finance law. According to the Southwest Pay Master General, Ayuk Peter Akpoeban, the budget of the 2014 financial year, is slightly above what was realised in 2013 which was 38.7 per cent.

He however requested stakeholders, authorising officers and Accountants to take measures so as to put an end to late payment and also to avoid taking over expenditures of previous years. He said the submission of financial accounts has improved this year, unlike the previous year where 139 accounts were not provided. Mr Akpoeban, noted that some Accountants lay unjustified complaints such as fire hazards, theft, with no documented facts to justify.

Haman Dairu on his part, said it is the responsibility of Accountants to keep and handle the public funds, without which the state cannot fulfill its obligations towards its citizens. He lauded the Accountants of the Southwest Region and the efforts they are making with regards to the compliance to orthodox and quest for performance.

He used the forum to reveal some of the plans the government has for the Southwest Region, which encompasses the health sector, urban development, roads, water resources and energy, security, reference hospital as well as large food market, to be constructed in Buea as soon as resources are available.

He did not fail to mention the security measures that should be taken by Accountants like managing the flow of users who appear before their counters, preventing people with bags from entering their offices without being properly searched.