Akwa Ibom lauded for budget transparency

Akwa Ibom State Government has been ranked one of the best performing states in the 2020 sub-National Budget Transparency Survey.

The survey which was conducted by the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) to ascertain the level of budget performance by states of the federation revealed that Akwa Ibom and four other states topped the budget performance index for the year 2020.

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The Nigerian States Budget Transparency Survey Report also revealed that Akwa Ibom and some other Nigerian States have significantly improved budget transparency and participation, and has improved the robustness of the procurement process, a confirmation of the resolve of Governor Udom Emmanuel at ensuring that the budget is structured in a way that guarantees people participation and buy in for effective monitoring, tracking, assessment and evaluation of its implementation.

The survey report which was made available to the public by the Executive Director, CIRDDOC Nigeria, Ral Nwankwo-Obioha, indicates that “Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Kaduna, and Ondo states each scored above 60 percent, meaning they provided significant budget information, spaces for public participation throughout the budget process, and information on procurement”.

“Only Oyo and Zamfara states provided almost no budget information, had non-existent spaces for public consultation, and opaque procurement processes”.

Mrs. Nwankwo-Obioha said the objective of the report is to compare the degree of budget transparency across states, promote international best practices with regards to budgeting and budget process in the states and to inspire and encourage the spirit of competitiveness’ amid states towards promoting budget transparency and government accountability.

“The support and promotion of accountable government is the responsibility of all. While the state governments are saddled with the responsibility of budget development; the citizens, Legislators, Auditor-Generals, Accountant Generals, Civil Society Organisations and the media have significant roles to play in ensuring that the must-haves are included in the budget as well as determine budget execution,” she said

She reiterated that playing major role in the accountability ecosystem means that all and sundry have access to the budget information. She also said that all citizens should have access to information on how state governments plan revenue, incur debt and spend public resources essential in the financial programmes of the state.