Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriations and Finance has charged key actors in composition/compilation of budgetary provisions of the State, to do same in an appreciable and detailed approach, matching actual budgeting items to reflect transparency and accountability of government to the masses.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Uduak Ududoh and member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo in the State Legislature gave the charge during the commencement of 2019 2nd quarter budget evaluation and performances/implementation exercise of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) before the Committee at the Assembly complex.
Appearing before the committee were: Ministry of Finance, State Accountant General’s Office, Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Committee, and Budget Office.
Rt. Hon. Uduak Ududoh, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations and Finance, setting the tone for 2019 2nd quarter budget evaluation and implementation exercise:
He congratulated government re-appointees who he said are disciples in the completion agenda of the present administration.
He charged heads of MDAs on consolidating on already laid down gains in propelling the state further towards realization of completion agenda of the present administration.
Linking timely presentation of a fiscal year’s budget to the parliament by executive as a panacea for effective implementation of budget, Hon. Ududoh intimated that global practices has it that by the time a State is able to publish it’s budget by January 2020, the State stands a chance of receiving 3m US dollars from one of the donor agencies.
He ssured that once the budget is presented to the House, the committee shall expedite action to foster timely passage of the bill into law within the timeframe of three to four weeks.
The chairman also solicited for consideration and paying premium to achievable budgeting estimates to eliminate the trending practice of having robust budget size with low implementation/performance.
Ministry of Finance:
The Ministry was represented by the commissioner of Finance, Hon. Linus Nkan.
Review of 2019 2nd quarter budget Performance:
The Commissioner informed that out of 125.6b earmarked for the Ministry for 2019, N105, 952, 304, N21m has been generated as at the end of second quarter of 2019.
Hon. Nkan also revealed that 2019 capital budgetary provision of N13, 649, 880b was approved as total estimate for 11 projects in the Ministry out of that N10b was appropriated to Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Committee while the Ministry of Finance has N3,649, 880b out of that, for the 2nd quarter, Ministry of Finance only accessed and utilized the sum of N931, 399M, which represents 6.8% of total approved provisions.
Undertaken projects:
Projects undertaken within this period under review according to the Commissioner are : Online real-time information Management system, Staff Housing Scheme, Updating of the Finance Website, Inter-ministerial direct Labour jobs, and some intervention jobs undertaken which includes: construction of civil centres and town halls, provision of mini-water projects across the State, provision of dual desks to schools, renovation of School blocks in the State.
Projects undertaken within this period under review according to the Commissioner are : Online real-time information Management system, Staff Housing Scheme, Updating of the Finance Website, Inter-ministerial direct Labour jobs, and some intervention jobs undertaken which includes: construction of civil centres and town halls, provision of mini-water projects across the State, provision of dual desks to schools, renovation of School blocks in the State.
Others are: rehabilitation of World Bank assisted water supplier headwork at Nkemba, Akpan Essien Street in Uyo Local Government Area, Networking of the new Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centres, and acquisition of certain office furniture and equipment and capacity building of staff through training workshops and other exposures.
Appropriations and Finance Committee is Timeliness in Nature:
The Commissioner describing the Committee as an integral part of government’s administration at all levels, also commended the committee for showcasing seriousness in over-sighting over MDAs and attachment of timeliness to passage of 2020 budget for monetary rewards for the State.
He lauded them for keying into global practices and said the state shall be recognised among the Federating States who would meet certain specified conditions as made by World Bank which enhances transparency, accountability other principles.
2020 Budget: We are Aiming at Meeting Global Standard Practices:
He said punctuality in budgeting and passage of same to law expresses government seriousness and gives operational direction to government with focus within an approved dimension as well as assuring the readiness of the State Government to ensure 2020 budget is presented and passed within an acceptable and appreciable timeframe to promote efficiency and effectiveness in governance in the State.
He reiterated that in 2020, Akwa Ibom State shall be among the States of the Federation that shall meet the condition of passing her budget on time and also disclosed that relevant MDAs are working in partnership to ensure the State Auditing department works in compliance with this effort to ensure audited account of the State is made publish for timely acknowledgement by World Bank.
2020 Budgeting: We are Adopting Open Government Approach:
Speaking on rudiments of budgeting, Mr. Nkan said it has to do with timeliness and transparency principles adding that: “Government can’t claim to be transparent when the citizens themselves do not accord you are transparent. So, from the ongoing, we want to involve the citizens in the preparations of the budget.
“we have to reach out to stakeholders who are citizens in regards to what do they want? How do they want it? and where do they want it? These are the visions we are going to incorporate in the budget. The opinion of the owners of the money matters, because government is manager of people’s resources and at the end of the day, they will evaluate you performances”.
The Completion Agenda:
“Let me restate here that the second term agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel is Completion.
“We have started a whole lot of programmes and projects in the first term, the second term is to ensure we complete most of those things that government has envisioned to embark on and this is because there has been lots of wastages of public funds everywhere in the past.
“Let me restate here that the second term agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel is Completion.
“We have started a whole lot of programmes and projects in the first term, the second term is to ensure we complete most of those things that government has envisioned to embark on and this is because there has been lots of wastages of public funds everywhere in the past.
“Government will site lots of her programmes at the end of administration some of those programmes remain uncompleted and a new government comes in and start its own programme and projects and at the end of the day, you spot uncompleted projects littered everywhere which people’s money was put in there and at they remain uncompleted and useless to the public.
“And I think that is what Governor Udom Emmanuel is trying to avoid most of the projects we started we want to see it to their end, to achieve this, corporation from all sectors is needed”. He elucidated!
Office of Accountant General’s Office:
State Accountant General, Pastor Uwem Andrew informed Appropriations and Finance committee that for 2019, the Office expected a total revenue of N329b out of which as at June, 120.8 has been realised.
“The total approved capital expenditure for 2019 was N50.971b out of which the actual expenditure stands at 290m representing 0.6% and showcasing poor performance at the end of 2nd quarter of the 2019.
“For 2019, N329b was expected as internally generated revenue from the office of Accountant General, State, but the sum of 120.875b has been accrued, representing 36% with the hope of improvement in the next quarter of the year.
“The Office of the State Accountant General got the 2017 account published and circulated to all the MDAs as well as copies sent to members of the State Legislature. It was also circulated to all relevant ministries in Abuja including the Ministry of Accountant General of the Federation, etc.” He informed!
Budget Office:
The Head of Budget, Mr. Otu Asuquo intimated that the office is generally vested with the responsibility of collating an submitting, estimates of a fiscal year’s budget from Ministries, and process same for subsequent presentation to the State Governor.
Budget Office:
The Head of Budget, Mr. Otu Asuquo intimated that the office is generally vested with the responsibility of collating an submitting, estimates of a fiscal year’s budget from Ministries, and process same for subsequent presentation to the State Governor.
“The approved budget for State Budget Department for 2017 has been published and circulated to relevant MDAs as well as on the Website of the State Government.
“The summary of appraisal of the Budget Office in 2019 at the end of the 2nd quarter has it that; Capital budget came under some intertwined headings, and total approved capital provision was to the tune of N12.342b which comes in three components: State budget office N42.118b, the State Wide Votes provision (the common votes) which stood at N6.3b was appropriated and Consultancy and Payment had N6b approval”. Mr. Asuquo elucidated!
The head of budget office who couldn’t present details of implementation and performance of the office promised forwarding same to the Appropriations and Finance committee on a later date.
Committee’s Comments:
On behalf of members, Appropriations and Finance Committee, the Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Uduak Ududoh appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel and his channels within the finance departments for prompt payment of salaries to workers in the State employ.
Adjudging Governor Emmanuel as the best in the country with regards to payment of salary when due, and attributed the Governor’s giants strides to the commitment and efficiency of his disciples.
He also appreciated relevant stakeholders for timely engagements of MDAs and other stakeholders in a timely compilation of 2020 budget and pledged the readiness of the House to enact the 2020 bill in accordance to global best practices with the aim of promoting economic growth of the State.
Similarly, they informed key actors that the owe the State Government the responsibility of ensuring signature projects and other complimentary ones are completed before the end of 2013 which is an electioneering year.
Members of the Appropriations and Finance committee present during the evaluation exercise were: Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo, Iniono Ibom, Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey, Oron /Udung Uko, Hon. Asuquo Udo, Ikono, Hon. (Barr.) Victor Ekwere, Mkpat Enin, and Hon. (Barr.) Otobong Bob, Nsit Ubium.
