ABSTRACT

This study examined the effect of Value-for-Money (VFM) audit on government capital expenditures in Abia State with particular reference to Abia State Universal Basic Education (ASUBEB), Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Survey and ex post facto research designs were employed in the study in combination with purposive sampling technique to ensure proper representation. Capital expenditures on four sectors in Abia state were extracted for the period 2007 to 2014. Descriptive statistics, frequency tables and regression analytical techniques were all utilized in the examination of the variables of interest. The findings indicate that Value for money audit has no significant effect on government capital expenditures administration in Nigeria resulting from the negative impact of political and executive influence on audit process & report, insufficient funding, restricted access to required information, poor record keeping, insufficient expertise, lack of structure and manpower, bureaucracy and economic fluctuations in terms of revenue. This implies that Value for money has not achieved its purpose and therefore calls for keen attention to the causes of this negative effect as observed and eventual address of the lapses.  This study therefore recommends constant training of auditors and members of the audit team to enhance goal achievement, boost their independence, as well as their expertise; proper funding; due election of officers to forestall bureaucracy; and finally deliberate the adoption of VFM audit policies issued by the Auditor-General of the Federation, to boost legislative and constitutional commitment to VFM in Abia State