Fiscal Commission to Partner NGOs on Budget Monitoring
- By Simeon Ogoegbulem
- Published July 2nd, 2009
- News
- Unrated
THE Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with non-governmental organizations (Ngos) in order to enhance fiscal transparency and effective budget monitoring in the country. FRC is one of the new bodies established by the federal government to help build the culture of fiscal transparency in the country.
Dr Aliyu Jibril Yelwa, chairman of FRC, dropped the hint in Abuja while receiving a delegation from Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), led by Eze Onyekpere. Yelwa assured that the commission will continue to partner with NGOs and other relevant stakeholders so as to promote transparency and deepen democratic values.
Yelwa said the commission has a duty to ensure that the objectives of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) of the federal government are strictly adhered to by the relevant authorities.
He added that the Nigerian public is entitled to know when and how funds being generated by government are being spent.
He noted that the mandate of the two bodies was similar as it was predicated on ensuring that resources are well utilized in accordance with the law to the benefits of Nigerians. He therefore called on other NGOs to join forces with FRC to deliver democratic dividends to the people through effective and efficient use of resources.
Earlier, Eze Onyekere, lead director of CSJ, said the Centre is worried by recent reports of borrowings by the government from the World Bank without prior legislative approval as well as the recent claim by a state governor that he could borrow without legislative approval.
Onyekpere also expressed concern that the finance ministry is yet to start the MTEF process for the current year and may miss the end of the second quarter deadline for the submission of the MTEF for the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
He said his Centre is intervening in some fiscal responsibility bills pending before state legislatures with a clause by clause analysis and best practices on the way forward. He assured that CSJ is always on hand to assist in ensuring that due process is followed especially in matters relating to fiscal transparency.
At the end of the meeting, the two bodies agreed to cooperate on capacity building to ensure effective monitoring of the budgeting and implementing processes. While noting that the Fiscal Responsibility Act was enacted to ensure good governance and due process in fiscal matters, they agreed to collaborate in documenting infractions of the Act as well as point out successes and failures recorded in its implementation.
Dr Aliyu Jibril Yelwa, chairman of FRC, dropped the hint in Abuja while receiving a delegation from Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), led by Eze Onyekpere. Yelwa assured that the commission will continue to partner with NGOs and other relevant stakeholders so as to promote transparency and deepen democratic values.
Yelwa said the commission has a duty to ensure that the objectives of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) of the federal government are strictly adhered to by the relevant authorities.
He added that the Nigerian public is entitled to know when and how funds being generated by government are being spent.
He noted that the mandate of the two bodies was similar as it was predicated on ensuring that resources are well utilized in accordance with the law to the benefits of Nigerians. He therefore called on other NGOs to join forces with FRC to deliver democratic dividends to the people through effective and efficient use of resources.
Earlier, Eze Onyekere, lead director of CSJ, said the Centre is worried by recent reports of borrowings by the government from the World Bank without prior legislative approval as well as the recent claim by a state governor that he could borrow without legislative approval.
Onyekpere also expressed concern that the finance ministry is yet to start the MTEF process for the current year and may miss the end of the second quarter deadline for the submission of the MTEF for the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
He said his Centre is intervening in some fiscal responsibility bills pending before state legislatures with a clause by clause analysis and best practices on the way forward. He assured that CSJ is always on hand to assist in ensuring that due process is followed especially in matters relating to fiscal transparency.
At the end of the meeting, the two bodies agreed to cooperate on capacity building to ensure effective monitoring of the budgeting and implementing processes. While noting that the Fiscal Responsibility Act was enacted to ensure good governance and due process in fiscal matters, they agreed to collaborate in documenting infractions of the Act as well as point out successes and failures recorded in its implementation.
