In a recent gathering at the Nike Lake Resort Enugu, the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chief Moses Ije Odunwa, also the Deputy National Chairman of the APC Speakers’ Forum, expressed his appreciation for the USAID Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency, and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity. The initiative has played a significant role in enhancing budget planning and execution within Ebonyi State.
During the three-day workshop organized by the USAID Nigeria State2State Activity on Legislative Budget Oversight, Odunwa emphasized the importance of public involvement in the budget planning process, underscoring the necessity of capturing the aspirations and needs of the populace.
Odunwa highlighted the evolving responsibilities of elected House of Assembly Members, stressing the transition from merely legislating to ensuring the functional implementation of laws. He emphasized the importance of lawmakers conducting overnight visits to oversee budget implementation and ensure compliance with approved budgets.
The Speaker commended the USAID State2State program for its impactful contributions to budget preparation and implementation in Ebonyi State. He noted that the workshop on Legislative Budget Oversight had injected fresh momentum into efforts to effectively execute approved budgets.
Echoing Odunwa’s sentiments, Deputy Speaker RT Hon Comrade Chinedu Onah praised the workshop and the activities of USAID State2State in Ebonyi, acknowledging their profound impact. Furthermore, key committee chairpersons from various sectors such as Water, Education, Health, and Public Accounts lauded the USAID State2State Activity for enlightening them on the Community Charter of Demands, facilitating better engagement with relevant departments and agencies before budget approvals.
Dr. Sam Onyia, the State Team Lead, emphasized the workshop’s objective of enhancing the capacity of key committees in the State House of Assembly on Budget Oversight. Munachiso Odulana, a Citizen Engagement and Capacity Building Specialist with USAID State2State, highlighted the importance of citizen participation in the budgeting process, leading to more informed outcomes.
Mrs. Victoria Eze, the USAID State2State Local Government Area Manager, urged Assembly Members to ensure inclusive consultations on government programs and policies. Additionally, Mr. Chibueze Nwonye, the Public Finance Management Specialist with USAID State2State, lectured on State Annual Budget and Implementation Oversight.
Mrs. Mfon Williamson, the Ebonyi State Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, commended the transformative impact of USAID State2State in Ebonyi, particularly in modernizing budget proposals and implementation processes.
These initiatives have led to Ebonyi State’s development of a Budget Manual and Mid-Term Framework, significantly facilitating the budgeting process within the state.
