Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have commended the Abia State Government for its transparency in budgeting and implementation of social protection programmes.
UNICEF Lead Consultant, Professor Frances Obafemi, gave the commendation while speaking with journalists during a workshop on programme-based budgeting for social protection, held in Umuahia.
Prof. Obafemi described the Governor Alex Otti-led administration as “remarkably transparent” in its budgeting process, noting that the quality of openness demonstrated by the state informed UNICEF’s partnership with Abia.
“Abia has continued to operate a transparent budgetary system and is also willing to improve on its transparency,” she said.
“Their passion for ensuring transparency in budgeting shows genuine commitment to good governance.”
The workshop, sponsored by the European Union and facilitated by UNICEF, was designed to strengthen the capacity of personnel from relevant ministries involved in implementing social protection programmes.
According to Prof. Obafemi, the training focused on equipping participants with the skills to prepare programme-based and medium-term expenditure frameworks.
She listed the four focal ministries engaged in the programme as the Ministries of Health, Education, Budget and Planning, and Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection.
The University of Calabar economist further commended Governor Otti and the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike, for their commitment to institutionalizing transparency and accountability in public finance management, describing their efforts as “highly commendable.”
Also speaking, UNICEF’s Social Policy Officer for the Enugu Field Office, Dr. Victor Chima, lauded Abia for cooperating with the EU and UNICEF to promote transparent and accountable budgeting practices.
He explained that the workshop, funded by the EU through UNICEF, aims to ensure that state budgets are “adequately and properly prepared based on the priorities and development vision of each state.”
Dr. Chima noted that similar exercises are ongoing in 10 states across Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Abia State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Anosike, reaffirmed the commitment of the Otti administration to protecting the interests of vulnerable groups.
He disclosed that the government has been updating its social register to ensure that vulnerable citizens are fully captured and included in various intervention programmes.
