United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is deepening the practice of democracy in Akwa Ibom State. The Legislative arm of the state government says so. The state House of Assembly disclosed this during a two-day training workshop organised by USAID for the lawmakers.
In spite of this development, Speaker of the House, Aniekan Bassey, is appealing to USAID for a proper time to engage all members in subsequent training.
Represented by the House Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, Uduak Odudo, the speaker maintained that the activities of USAID is noted in the state within a short period and urged the agency to continue in their good work for better governance.
One of the state legislators, Mark Esset, representing Nsit Atai State Constituency said the workshop has 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 by other official matters.
Earlier the state Team Lead – USAID State Accountability, Transparency and effective State 2 state Activity for Akwa Ibom, Borve Paago-Imabel, disclosed that the Agency has worked with the state government to bring 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.
The Team Lead said USAID has partnered with the Akwa Ibom state government to enhance transparency, accountability and good governance in the last two years.
Others include full migration of the 2022 state budget to the National Charts of Accounts template with support from Nigeria Governors 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 Governors 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 Governor Udom Emmanuel for the provision of a befitting office for the Agency as well as the formation of the state Transformation Committee headed by the Commissioner of Finance Linus Nkan.
