Ambode Scraps Multiple Accounts For Govt Transactions, Endorses Single Account

By Ayo Balogun – Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has abolished the operation of multiple accounts for government transactions, just as he approves the operation of Single Account for all government transactions henceforth.

The move is in an effort to curb corruption and efficiently improve on the processes of revenue generation and collection in the state and ensure proper accountability and transparency in all Government accrued revenues.

The operation of single account for all government transactions now takes effect from September, 2015.

According to a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary/Accountant General of the State, Mrs Abimbola Umar, the State Government took the decision to address the challenges previously faced with the operation of the multiple account system.

Ambode said the operation of a Treasury Single Account (TSA) aside providing transparency and accountability will also encourage tax payers to request for a single account before making their payments.

The development is in line with the objective of the move by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that all government revenue accrues to one consolidated account.

In addition, government said all the affected revenue collecting banks have been mandated to immediately close all the existing multiple revenue accounts domiciled in their banks to give room for a single revenue accounting system in line with the Accountability and Transparency Policy of the current administration.

“With this development, it is expected that all parastatals, local governments and establishments will commence the operation of the TSA on September 1, 2015”, the Governor said.