Friday, November 8, 2024
25 C
Lagos

‘No Transparency in Nigerian State Budgets’

BudgIT is currently conducting its #StateofStates campaign which examines the level of transparency in the 36 Nigerian States. In its online assessment on the availability of public finance documents in State government domains, we observed that as at June 20, 2018, only 15 States in the country had published their budget documents online.

BudgIT, a civic tech transparency organisation working on holding government accountable and creating an active citizenry to improve governance is following the non-availability of States fiscal plan and urging Nigerians to demand their States budgets collectively.

Following this call, we were able to obtain fifteen (15) State budget documents for 2018. The States are Borno, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Plateau and Yobe.

It is instructive to note that only 13 States (Borno, Delta Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Plateau and Yobe) of the 15 States are sufficiently detailed while Lagos and Kwara States provided a summary of their budgets on the government websites.

The document provided lacks actionable detail with which citizens can hold their elected officials to account. The organisation says it would like to state explicitly that Lagos and Kwara States have a history of opacity over the years and are notorious for resisting attempts by citizens to pry into the affairs of the state.

Shrouding public finance information in secrecy thereby encourages corruption and mediocre performance in the States.

The #StateofStates advocacy continues to critically look at the proactiveness in the disclosure of information in the Nigerian States and their compliance with the Freedom of Information law where applied. Transparency in the States continues the downward swing as governments persist in denying citizens the access to relevant information.

It is commendable that the States released full budget documents to the public, but it must be published within a reasonable timeframe. The proposed budget details presented to the State House of Assembly should be made available to the public to enable them to engage their Legislators during the budget debate. Any State keen on citizen participation in governance should publish full details of the proposal with 48 hours of submission to the legislature.

The fundamental requirement of good governance is transparency, and the least form of transparency is the availability of public finance information.

Abayomi Akinbo, BudgIT Project Manager, observed:”Information on government spending from the public purse should be provided to the people by the government through various communication channels; one of which is the official state website. However, this is not the case with State governments in Nigeria.”

The organisation states: “Beyond the release of pictures and stories of projects executed, it is vital that citizens are informed of project cost to enable them to decide if the project delivered optimum value for money spent. Nigeria battles the current scourge of corruption due to the prevailing practice of opacity at federal, state and local levels. No country achieves transparency and accountability without the active participation of citizens in the management of its resources. Taxpayers must hold government accountable to enable them to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

We call on the people of the States of (Abia, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara ) to demand their budgets be made open and accessible to ensure the society works in their interest. We equally call on all Nigerian citizens to keep an eye on the funds and follow the money. Across the world, transparency has been noted to foster citizens trust in government and increasing investor confidence. States with partially detailed budgets documents in public domains must provide details of capital projects being executed for the fiscal year.”

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Continental Re Seeks Entries for 10th Pan African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards 2025

Continental Reinsurance Plc, a leading Pan-African reinsurer, is proud...

Cloud Energy Unveils 200 Watts Street Light Bulbs, Rooftop Panel Campaign

Nigeria’s foremost indigenous Renewable Energy Company, decorated by industry...

Awele Elumelu Seeks Increased Female Leadership in Insurance Sector

L-R: Lady Margaret Moore, President, Africa Insurance Women Association...

NCDMB ES, Lagos Gov Commission Bell Oil and Gas’ Pipe Threading, Valve Assembly Plant

A multi-million-dollar pipe threading and valve assembly facility built...

Polaris Bank Clinches “Best Mobile App” Award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

Polaris Bank's commitment to digital innovation and excellence has...

Topics

Savannah Bank: Dead or Alive?

The decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to appeal the judgment of Court of Appeal restoring the operating licence of Savannah Bank of Nigeria Plc opened the way for the return of the bank. It also signals the end of one of the controversial chapters in the history of banking in Nigeria. However, the N25 billion capitalisation requirement for banks has become an albatross on the neck of the bank.

Osinbajo: Nigerians Should Patronise Brokers on Insurance Business

  NCRIB President, Dr. (Mrs.) Bola Onigbogi led the NCRIB...

Continental Re: Entries Now Open for 9th Pan African Journalism Award 2024

Continental Reinsurance Plc is pleased to announce the launch...

NASARAWA Entrepreneurs Summit Hold July 20

Determined to open windows of opportunities’ for budding entrepreneurs...

‘WA Needs Uniform Insurance Regulation’

Mr. Eddie Efekoha, Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) says...

2023: Emefiele’s Case Against INEC, AGF Set for May 12

Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court...

Sovereign Trust Insurance Delegates at 50th AIO Conference in Namibia

From L-R: Simon Mensah, Senior Manager/Head, Strategy & Corporate...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img