Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State says for the state to improve service delivery in basic education and primary healthcare services, there must be transparency and accountability in governance.
Governor Mbah said this on Wednesday at a two-day workshop on “Domestication and Adoption of the National Chart of Account (NCOA)” in preparation of budget of Local Government Areas in Enugu State.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr Roberts Ozongwu, said that meeting the NCOA conditions were part of the requirements to access World Bank grants.
“This workshop is meant to improve service delivery in basic education and primary healthcare.
“To meet this requirements we must meet certain criteria including the adoption of harmonised budget guidelines by the National Council of Account at the local government levels,” he said.
He, however, noted that the Enugu State Government had made significant progress in improving on transparency and accountability in budget planning and implementation.
The governor urged the participants including, Chairmen of the 17 LGAs and the treasurers of LGAs, to take the programme seriously for effective collaboration with state government on budget preparations.
Speaking, the Lead Presenter, Dr Chinedu Eze, said the workshop focused on collaborations between the local governments and the state, especially in areas of basic education and primary healthcare.
“We are looking at a new concept; the budget of the local governments must be in line with the budget of the state government.
“We need to take this seriously because if one local government failed to present its budget as required then the whole state has failed,” he said.
Mrs Nwodo Nonyelum, HOD, Local Government Coordination, Economic Planning Commission, said the training was aimed at equipping participants with necessary knowledge and skills in implementing the NCOA framework for LGAs.
She said: “This will ensure compliance with standardised financial reporting, and enhance transparency.
“Participants will gain practical insights into budget preparation processes, financial accountability and strategies for seamless integration of the NCOA into local governance.”
Ferdinand Ukwueze, Chairman Igboeze South LGA, and vice chairman ALGON Enugu State, said the workshop became necessary so as to facilitate effective service delivery in the 17 local governments.
He said it was the desire of all the local government areas in Enugu State to see the state as number one state in Nigeria to achieve the NCOA standardised framework.
Ukwueze said that the Enugu State Government under Gov. Mbah had placed emphasis on the delivery of primary healthcare and basic education to the people.
“Tell me that state in Nigeria that budgets 33 per cent on education? Only Enugu State, and that is why we are sure of achieving the NCOA standardised framework,” he said.
