The Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly Rt Hon Chief Moses Ije Odunwa who is equally the Deputy National Chairman of the APC Speakers’ Forum has posited that the legislative responsibilities of any elected House of Assembly Member transgressed from making laws into how to make the laws functional.
Speaking at the 3 day workshop organised by USAID Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency, and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity on Legislative Budget Oversight held at Nike Lake Resort Enugu, Enugu State, the Speaker maintained that the process of budget Planning should entail public participation where the aspirations and needs of the pupulace will be captured.
He added that for any budget proposal to be well implemented, the lawmakers should follow the implementation through overnight visits which will make them to know the actual level of compliance with the approved budget.
RT Hon Odunwa commended the USAID State2State for its programmes in Ebonyi State which have imparted greatly in both budget preparation and implementation and added that the workshop on Legislative Budget Oversight has given a new impetus on how best to make an approved budget work.
In his own words, the Deputy Speaker RT Hon Comrade Chinedu Onah said the workshop and the activities of USAID State2State in Ebonyi has been very impactful, noting that the workshop on Legislative Budget Oversight has made them to know the importance of oversight visits, budget inclusiveness and proper budget proposal.
Also Speaking on behalf of each of the key Committee which include Water, Educatiion, Health and Public Accounts, the Chairman House Committee on Water Resources Hon Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga, the Chairman House Committee on Education Hon Barr. Aloysius Nwodo, the Chairman House Committee on Health Hon Mrs Esther Agwu and her counterpart from the Public Accounts Hon Godwin Abiri all applauded the USAID State2State Activity for making them know more about the Community Charter of Demands which will make them to reach out to those Departments and Agencies in charge of those sectors before budget approvals.
Other members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly that spoke include the ChiefWhip Hon Prince Nkemka OKORO Onumah, the Deputy Leader Hon Joseph Ununu, Hon Victor Nwoke, Hon Goodluck Obinna Mbam, Hon Friday Ogbuewu, Hon Chikezie Igu, Hon Ifeanyi Nwakpu, Hon Stephen Orji Igwe, Hon Onu Ukpai, and Hon Henry Eze hailed the USAID Nigeria State2State Activity adding that Ebonyi State could not have gotten it better.
Earlier the State Team Lead, Dr Sam Onyia in his welcome remarks, said the workshop is meant to build the capacity of the key Committees of the State House of Assembly on Budget Oversight, acquaint them with Budgetary Processes and specific steps in budget oversight, and sensitize the participants on the effective application of a standard legislative oversight template which will be useful in conducting oversight for the implementation of the approved budget.
Munachiso Odulana who is a Citizen Engagement and Capacity Building Specialist of the USAID State2State delivered papers on Legislative Oversight and Steps in Budget Oversight, said citizen’s involvement allows participation in Budget Proposal which brings diverse perspectives and priorities to the budgeting process thereby leading to more informed and equitable outcomes.
The USAID State2State Local Government Area Manager Mrs Victoria Eze talked on “Mainstreaming Conflict in Legislative Budget Oversight” urged Assembly Members to ensure inclusive consultations on government Programmes and policies, while the USAID State2State Public Finance Management Specialist, Mr Chibueze Nwonye lectured on the State Annual Budget / Appropriation law and Implementation Oversight by the legislature.
In conclusion, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Mrs Mfon Williamson, lauded the USAID State2State for bringing Ebonyi out of yesteryears as budget proposals and implementation have taken on new dimensions since the arrival of the USAID State2State Activity in the State.
She revealed that their activities have made Ebonyi State to have a Budget Manual and Mid-Term Framework, which have all contributed to making budgeting in Ebonyi State easier.