The Imo State Government has planned to establish Fiscal Responsibility Agency aimed at achieving accountability in the business of governance.
This was disclosed by Governor Hope Uzodinma on Thursday while declaring open a three-day South-East zonal retreat on Fiscal Responsibility of sub-nations and Civil Society Organizations.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Chuks Chukwuemeka, Governor Uzodinma said; “There is a need for accountability and sustainability in the running of good governance especially under a democratic dispensation.
“In line with this, the government of Imo state will soon establish a Fiscal Responsibility Agency, to ensure that the appropriate fiscal laws are fully implemented for the benefit of the masses.
“Also, we commend the performance of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission towards enlightening all states of the Nigerian society, on their roles to enhance sustainable economic development.”
Earlier in his remark, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Chief Victor Muruako, while explaining the purpose of the retreat, said: “It is essential for CSOs to play a more active role in advocating transparency, Accountability, and Prudent management, the Fiscal Responsibility Act empowered them with the legal capacity to enforce the provisions of the Act through the Courts.”
He also called on “the Academia to process the Fiscal data freely for public use, I am also suggesting for postgraduate research projects of social science students and other Faculties in the Higher Education Institutions in the Southeast to intentionally focus on the linkages between transparency, Accountability, Prudence and economic development.”
He explained further that the “Commission had mapped out various strategies to ensure that the States of the Federation improved their adoption of good practice Fiscal behaviours that were consistent with those at the federal level, such strategies had led to the establishment of Fiscal responsibility legislation in Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo States to mirror that of the Federal Government, while all the five states of the Southeast now have their year 2023 Annual Financial statements published Online. We commend the Imo State government for graciously hosting the Southeast sensitization program with the theme”Fostering Fiscal Accountability: Sub Nationals and Civil Society Collaboration.”
He however cautioned the citizens to exercise the power responsibly and based on evidence, rather than anecdotes.
