USAID partners A’ Ibom government to foster good governance, others

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said it has partnered with the Akwa Ibom state government to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance in the last two years.

Borve Paago- Imabel, the state Team Lead USAID, disclosed this during a two-day training workshop organized by the Agency for members of the State House of Assembly on Thursday in Uyo.

According to the Agency, the partnership centered more on accountability, transparency, and effective state activity, adding that the Agency has worked with the state government to realise good governance and accountability in the state.

He listed achievements of the Agency in the last two years to include: Development of State Budget Calendar, Standard Operations Manual for PFM MDAs and development of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework for 2022-2024 Fiscal Years.

Others include full migration of the 2022 state budget to the National Charts of Accounts template with support from Nigeria Governor’s Forum, support to Akwa Ibom state Internal Revenue Services in revenue expansion as well as a state communication strategy.

“Permit me to mention few key achievements recorded since inception in 2021: Development of State Budget Calendar, Standard Operations Manual for PFM MDAs, development of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework for the 2022-2024 Fiscal Years”

“Full migration of the 2022 state budget to the National Charts of Accounts template with support from the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, support to Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Services in revenue expansion, the state communication strategy documents.”

He said the workshop was the beginning of a strategic engagement of the State House of Assembly for reforms in governance envisaged by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

“This activity marks the commencement of a strategic engagement process with the State House of Assembly which will define and drive a need-driven technical support process to this all-important arm of government under the United State Agency for International Development -USAID’s flagship governance reforms activity-State Transparency, Accountability, and Effectiveness Activity.”

He appreciated the state governor Udom Emmanuel for the provision of befitting office for the Agency as well as the formation of the State Transformation Committee headed by the Commissioner of Finance Mr Linus Nkan.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Aniekan Bassey, appealed to USAID for the proper time to engage all members in subsequent training.

Represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation Mr. Uduak Odudo, the speaker said that the activities of USAID is noted in the state within a short period and urged the Agency to continue in their good works for better governance.

One of the participants Mr. Mark Esset, representing Nsit Atai State constituency, said the workshop have helped members of the Assembly to refresh on their oversight functions.

He, therefore, appealed to the Agency to always hold such workshops outside the state to avoid distraction.