Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta on Wednesday urged accountants in the state to keep to the code of conduct of the profession, display transparency and honesty in the performance of their duties.

Uduaghan made the call when the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr Adedoyin Owolabi paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, noted that accounting profession was one of the ethic-base professions in the society.

Uduaghan said that members of ICAN in the state civil service were doing very well in the profession by their contributions in ensuring good governance in the state.

He called for training and retraining of members of the association, adding that the constant training of members on the profession was important because of the change from cash accounting to accrual accounting.

Uduaghan, who commended the proposed plan by the institute to sponsor the “Whistle Blowers Protection Bill’’ at the National Assembly, said that the proposed bill would help the country in proper accountability.

“This bill is very important at this time when the nation is prepared to deliver service in measurable manner,’’ he said.

He therefore advocated punishment for bad whistle blowers in order to strike the right balance.

Uduaghan assured the institute that his administration would look into and resolve the land dispute hampering the development process of the ICAN study and examination centre in the state capital.

Earlier, Owolabi commended the state government for its immense contribution to the rapid social, economic and political development in the state, and disclosed.

He said that his visit to the state was to meet with ICAN members and to assess their welfare.

Owolabi said that the institution was ready to assist the government in building capacity through the training of civil servants in the state.