The
dynamism of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) in recent time has
been brought to the fore, revealing the real essence for which men and women of
proven integrity were selected by the electorates to represent different
constituencies in the hallowed chamber of the Assembly. The election of these
men allowed the entire people of the state to have a voice through their
representatives in the running of the state. Beyond speaking for their various
constituencies, as lawmakers with many oversight functions, the representatives
of the people must ensure that both individual and cooperate interest in the
state are well tweeted as enshrine in the law of the land.
Today,
the Rt. Hon Sam Ikon’s led 5th Assembly also known as the People’s
Assembly has matched words with action using different approaches to ensure
that the much cherished uncommon transformation of the present administration
continue to see the light of the day. The legislators unwavering support to the
executive could be measured with the number of executive bills passed into law
since the inception of the 5th Assembly. As an arm of government,
the legislature in Akwa Ibom State plays its role without conflicting with the
executive or any other arm of government. This further makes it possible for
the executive arm to deliver dividend of democracy to the people as expected.
On
December 11, 2013, the 5th Assembly played host to the executive arm
led by the Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio CON during which the 2014 State
Appropriation was presented. This was in preparation for the commencement of
another fiscal year with ease. Moreover, the Governor also announced his
intention to complete all ongoing projects before his exit in May 2015 hence
christened the budget as budget of actualization.
With the
total of N469.3b budget size, the recurrent expenditure was put at N74.2b while capital expenditure N383b. For the
first time in the history of budgeting, a new accounting system was introduced
known as International Public Sector Accounting System (IPSAS). The idea of
IPSAS according to the Governor is to allow for detailed explanation of the
budget and also guard against double entries. To most Akwa Ibom people, the
introduction of IPSAS is a clear indication that the government meant well for
the people.
The
House through its committee on Finance and Appropriation after attending IPSAS
training in Ghana swung into action on Monday January 20th with aim to do justice to the budget
based on the new accounting system. When the Committee settled down to work
some ministries and agencies appeared to defend their 2014 budget estimate.
Credit to the new accounting standard and the eagle eye of the committee,
functions, role and duties of some Ministries, Agencies, Boards and Commissions
were found to have been duplicated. For instance, when the Ministry of Health
appeared for its defense, the Honourable Commissioner made his position known
on the alleged role conflict with Hospital Management Board on supervisions and
management of facilities. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Emamabasi Bassey was
commended by the House Committee Chairman, Hon Barr Onofiok Luke for his effort
in repositioning the Ministry and the entire health sector describing him as a
square peg in square hole. The chairman of the Health Management Board, Sir Val
Attah had earlier accused the Ministry of taking over the duties of the Board
which according to him was at the implementation phase as well as the
management of hospitals and maintain personnel, a duty, the Health Ministry has
taken over.
The
perceived role conflict between the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth
and Sport also caught the attention of the lawmakers on sporting activities
among schools in the state. The programme which aimed at discovering talents
among the young ones in school should be clearly defined.
The
state Technical School Board was not also left out as the Ministry of Education
also duplicated its functions as alleged by the State Technical School Board.
This
duplication would not have been discovered if IPSAS accounting system was not
introduced. The repetition of items in ministries budget calls for questioning
since IPSAS prohibits it. But the question is, before now what happened to in
such duplications?
Does it
mean that government was extravagant in spending? No wonder why the lawmakers
had to educate even some of the Exco members (Commissioners) on the
implementation of the new budgetary system. In most cases the Committee
Chairman, Hon Luke will tell his guest in pigin english “we dey siddon jeje exco come introduce IPSAS give us” this is
because some members of the Exco seems to disagree on the application of IPSAS
when asked to justify.
Looking
at IPSAS critically, it would save the state millions of naira if it is
sincerely adopted thereby making it more economical for a state that is looking
for more funds for its capital development. More monies will be saved for other
life touching project in a growing state like Akwa Ibom. The economy of the
state will also compete with others in the country and beyond.
The
Committee of Appropriation and Finance and the State House of Assembly has done
their part. For 7 days, the committee members were on hand to ensure that the
2014 budget is well attended to.
The
executive therefore must know that to deliver on their mandate, attention
should be given on implementation of the budget as recommended by IPSAS. If not
the time and energy spent by the Assemblymen will be in vein.
JOHN
UDOFIA ANIPR is an Uyo based journalist
and publisher of National Gong Newspaper
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