Bauchi’s fiscal responsibility law
As a development worker, I attended series of workshops, training and advocacy visits organised by the centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from USAID through Pact Nigeria, on promoting the culture of transparency and accountability in the management of public resources in Bauchi State, advocating the implementation of these laws, supporting government’s […]
As a development worker, I attended series of workshops, training and advocacy visits organised by the centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from USAID through Pact Nigeria, on promoting the culture of transparency and accountability in the management of public resources in Bauchi State, advocating the implementation of these laws, supporting government’s effort aimed at implementing the laws in the state, facilitating the involvement of citizens and communities in budget processes, monitoring their implementation and that of state budgets.
Adopting these laws is the only indicator of success that differentiates the Obasanjo from ‘Yaradua/Jonathan regime. As a result, Jonathan’s is expected not to repeat the mistakes made by Obasanjo regime- for not enacting them. Until the enactment of the laws, Nigeria’s fiscal governance lacked effective coordination and was prone to abuse and manipulation for personal gains. However, the introduction of Fiscal Responsibility and Public Procurement Laws-2007 in Nigeria and 2008 in Bauchi State provided a framework for prudent management of public resources.
Fiscal responsibility puts talks about the mandatory duty of government to manage public funds in a manner that responds to the wishes and aspirations of the majority of the population. It is all about prudence, living within our means and reduces wastes and corruption in government to the minimal. It gives public access to the budget literacy and public expenditure management, both of which will, in one way or the other, control financial management in fiscal governance and give direction to government’s spending. And in turn, it reduces bribery and corruption and therefore gives birth to many employment opportunities that enhance the nation’s economy.
While public procurement is the method through which government implements its programmes and policies, that is to say, procurement of public works, goods and services always gives rise to government programmes, policies, strategies and framework for concrete actions. Public Procurements must not be unconnected with budget implementation. It’s through procuring works, goods and services that government actualizes its vision for nation’s development and prosperity.
The 2011 total budget figure for Bauchi State was N111.8 billion, with internally generated revenue of N6.3 billion, federal allocation of N53 billion, making the total revenue of N59.3 billion. Surprisingly more than 50% of the budget would be raised through loans (and bonds), thus there was the need to aggressively in crease IGR- for one, by way of further exploration and exploitation of the mineral deposits in the state. Recurrent expenditure accounted for about N48.4 billion (43.3% of the total budget figure) while capital expenditure stood at N63.4 billion (56.7%). But according to the best practices standard, capital expenditure should be about 70% of the total budget figure, if not more than that.
Problems regarding the proper implementation of these laws are not narrowed to these two, but they are the ones at the top of others. Others include godfatherism, sycophancy, lack of public engagement in budget processes and the budget contradiction with public priorities and developmental goals. Therefore as the state is among those states who first enacted these laws, it is now left for it to do all it can to make these laws more substantive than it being symbolic.
If these are done, Bauchi State will be serving as a role model to other states of the federation. Unemployment, high rate of criminality, popular Bauchi political thuggery known as Sara Suka, poverty menace and others of the like, all of which are directly subject to lack of proper implementation of these laws, must be, without any doubt, eliminated. We will be happy if the aim of democracy is fully achieved in our state, it’s our wish EFCC and ICPC cannot be chasing the shadows of our politicians now and even later after the immunity is removed.
Aboki is of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)Bauchi