Business
Gov Orders MDAs To Commence Implementation Of 2014 Budget
Governor Mukhtar Yero of
Kaduna State last Thursday directed the various state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to commence implementation of the 2014 budget.
Yero gave the order during a one-day retreat on the implementation of the approved 2014 budget.
The governor said that the budget estimates could only be achieved when projected revenue was realised.
Our correspondent recalls that the 2014 budget is tagged “Budget of Peace and Continuity”.
It has a total revenue projection of N200.9 billion, comprising 63 per cent capital expenditure and 37 per cent recurrent expenditure.
“The major problem with implementation is that we all relax as soon as the budget is passed and we wait until the last quarter before we begin to rush to award contracts.
“We have to begin implementation as soon as the budget is passed.”
Yero also urged members of the State House of Assembly to intensify action on their oversight function in order to ensure efficient budget implementation in the state.
He said that government officials should not regard oversight functions as witch-hunting, but rather as necessary legislative activity that ensured probity and accountability in public sector expenditures.
“Oversight function should be seen as partnership between the executive and the legislative arms not as witch-hunting.
“Personally, I want regular oversights because there is no way you can have a good executive without a good legislature.
“I don’t look at oversight as witch-hunting and even if that is the case, I have no fear because the records are there.
“The House should make oversight more consistent and not only when a budget is presented that you begin to go for inspection.
“You have to go at all times and if you find any problem please correct us.”
Also speaking at the retreat, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Shehu Tahir, said that the legislature would continue to carry out its oversight function as enshrined in the Constitution.
“Parliamentary oversights seeks to promote and enhance government accountability and transparency by ensuring that the Executive and those bodies to whom authority have been delegated, remain responsible and accountable in the performance of their functions,” he said.