By Admin
The Civil Resource Development Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) today at Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Abuja launch the 2015 Nigerian States Budget Transparency Survey Results. The result which was peak at an average of 26 saw Ekiti State with 79 as the most transparent state in Nigeria followed by Cross River State with 73 while Lagos and Jigawa states were rated 60 and 49 respectively as the top four states in the country that are transparent in their budgeting.
On the bottom row were Oyo and Kaduna state pairing with 7% while Akwa Ibom and Niger State got 22% and 27% each.The launching of the National Budget Transparency Survey was organized by CIRDDOC, Enugu in collaboration with 36 fiscal governance-focused CSOs in Nigeria with the support from the Department for International Development (DFID).
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of CIRDDOC, Mrs. Oby Nwankwo said that there is need for an open, transparent and participatory budget and procurement process so as to end the misappropriation of public funds that could otherwise be used for development purposes. "While state governors are entrusted with the development of the budget, legislators, Auditor-Generals, citizens, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the media have a role in not only determining what gets included in the budget but also how it is executed," she stated.
CIRDDOC partnered with local civil society organizations in the 36 states to conduct the Nigerian Sub-national (States) Budget Transparency Survey. Partners completed a multiple choice questionnaire adapted from the International Budget Partnership Open Budget Survey to evaluate the public availability of key budget documents, the level of public participation in the budget process, and the public availability of procurement information. The data collection period lasted from July to December 2014. The responses to each of the questions in the survey are used to derive the State Budget Transparency Index that assigns a numerical value between 0 and 100 with higher values denoting greater transparency.
At the Panel Discussion on why are budget information and public engagement so crucial in the States and what good practices presently exist, the immediate past governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu calls for the CSOs in the country not to be partisan as such will block their accessibility of government information that will be beneficial to the public. He expressed disappointment why some of his past colleagues who were invited to the event failed to honour the invitation as such would've given them the opportunity to address some frivolous allegations that they suffered while in office.
The former governor of Cross River State, Sen. Liyel Imoke also emphasized the need for the CSOs, citizens and government to always work together in the budgeting process as this will reduce suspicion. Another Panelist, Dr. Uzochukwu Amakom correct the wrong impression that those in the corridors of power has about CSOs. He call on government to see civil society organizations as partners in progress and not opposition or enemies. He emphasize strongly that CSOs has a very big role to play in the budgeting process and appeal for more civil society organizations like the NBA, NLC, NSE, NGOs, and other organizations to work together so as to entrench the culture of open and transparent government in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, goodwill messages was presented by Development Partners, Nigerian Labour Congress and Government. The event was attended by civil society organization, media and research experts across the country.
The Civil Resource Development Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) today at Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Abuja launch the 2015 Nigerian States Budget Transparency Survey Results. The result which was peak at an average of 26 saw Ekiti State with 79 as the most transparent state in Nigeria followed by Cross River State with 73 while Lagos and Jigawa states were rated 60 and 49 respectively as the top four states in the country that are transparent in their budgeting.
On the bottom row were Oyo and Kaduna state pairing with 7% while Akwa Ibom and Niger State got 22% and 27% each.The launching of the National Budget Transparency Survey was organized by CIRDDOC, Enugu in collaboration with 36 fiscal governance-focused CSOs in Nigeria with the support from the Department for International Development (DFID).
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| Panelist at the National Budget Discussion |
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| Participants at the National Budget Launch |
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of CIRDDOC, Mrs. Oby Nwankwo said that there is need for an open, transparent and participatory budget and procurement process so as to end the misappropriation of public funds that could otherwise be used for development purposes. "While state governors are entrusted with the development of the budget, legislators, Auditor-Generals, citizens, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the media have a role in not only determining what gets included in the budget but also how it is executed," she stated.
According to her, this accountability ecosystem depends on each accountability actor playing his or her role. "To play a constructive role, citizens, civil society, and the media need to have access to budget information which should not be limited to a select few individuals. All citizens should have access to how state government plan to raise revenue, spend public resources and incur debt necessary to finance programmes. It is with this in mind that CIRDDOC developed and implemented the Nigerian sub-national Budget Transparency Survey, the first independent assessment investigating transparency and public participation in the budgeting and procurement process at the sub-national level. This report compares the performance in all 36 Nigerian states, identifies best practices, and recommends how state budgeting and procurement systems can be more open and participatory," she submitted.
CIRDDOC partnered with local civil society organizations in the 36 states to conduct the Nigerian Sub-national (States) Budget Transparency Survey. Partners completed a multiple choice questionnaire adapted from the International Budget Partnership Open Budget Survey to evaluate the public availability of key budget documents, the level of public participation in the budget process, and the public availability of procurement information. The data collection period lasted from July to December 2014. The responses to each of the questions in the survey are used to derive the State Budget Transparency Index that assigns a numerical value between 0 and 100 with higher values denoting greater transparency.
At the Panel Discussion on why are budget information and public engagement so crucial in the States and what good practices presently exist, the immediate past governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu calls for the CSOs in the country not to be partisan as such will block their accessibility of government information that will be beneficial to the public. He expressed disappointment why some of his past colleagues who were invited to the event failed to honour the invitation as such would've given them the opportunity to address some frivolous allegations that they suffered while in office.
The former governor of Cross River State, Sen. Liyel Imoke also emphasized the need for the CSOs, citizens and government to always work together in the budgeting process as this will reduce suspicion. Another Panelist, Dr. Uzochukwu Amakom correct the wrong impression that those in the corridors of power has about CSOs. He call on government to see civil society organizations as partners in progress and not opposition or enemies. He emphasize strongly that CSOs has a very big role to play in the budgeting process and appeal for more civil society organizations like the NBA, NLC, NSE, NGOs, and other organizations to work together so as to entrench the culture of open and transparent government in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, goodwill messages was presented by Development Partners, Nigerian Labour Congress and Government. The event was attended by civil society organization, media and research experts across the country.
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