North Central Nigeria Pushes For Domestication Of Fiscal Responsibility Act To Boost Transparency

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s anti-corruption and accountability sector are calling for the adoption of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission Act across the North Central states.

This move, they argue, is crucial for promoting transparency and accountability in public funds management.

The call came during a two-day zonal summit in Jos, funded by the European Union and implemented by Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) and International IDEA.

The summit, themed “Integrating Citizens into Fiscal Decision-Making in States and Local Governments: Insight from Fiscal Responsibility Act,” aimed to ensure effective and transparent use of public funds, maximizing the benefits for citizens.

Victor Muruako, Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), emphasized the vital role of citizen participation in fiscal decision-making.

Represented by his Special Adviser, Chris Uwadoka, Muruako highlighted the summit’s objective: facilitating the domestication of the Act at the sub-national level.

He stressed that transparency and accountability are cornerstones of good governance, demanding public access to information on budget allocation, expenditure, and audit findings.

Uwadoka further pointed to initiatives like the Open Government Partnership and the Freedom of Information Act as steps towards enhancing citizen participation and accountability in public finance.

Mr. Pwanakim Mantin Dala, Plateau State Coordinator of RoLAC, underscored the importance of citizen involvement in resource management, particularly at the grassroots level.

He explained that the Fiscal Responsibility Act goes beyond simple public disclosure, focusing on the effective application and utilisation of funds to ensure value for money.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Commissioner of Finance, Mrs. Grace Dongkum, assured participants that the state is actively working towards domesticating the Act to strengthen government operations.

Dongkum emphasised the Act’s role in ensuring transparency and responsible financial management, promoting long-term planning and sustainable resource allocation.

She stressed that responsible financial management also includes planning for future needs.

The summit served as a platform for advocating for greater transparency and accountability in public finance across the North Central region, ultimately aiming to improve governance and service delivery for the benefit of all citizens.