The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has demanded the immediate release of 2022 Budget Implementation Reports in adherence to the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
CSJ urged the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, through the Budget Office of the Federation, to promptly release the third quarter, fourth quarter and consolidated budget implementation reports of the 2022 budget, as well as the first quarter implementation report of the 2023 budget, in strict adherence to Section 30 (1) and (2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.
“According to Section 30 (1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, it is the duty of the Minister of Finance, through the Budget Office of the Federation, to diligently monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Annual Budget. This includes the crucial task of assessing the attainment of fiscal targets and providing comprehensive quarterly reports to both the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the Joint Finance Committee of the National Assembly.
“Furthermore, Section 30 (2) mandates that the Minister of Finance ensures that the prepared reports, as per subsection (1), are published in mass media, electronic platforms, and on the official Ministry of Finance website no later than 30 days after the end of each quarter,” a statement signed the Lead Director of CSJ, Barr. Eze Onyekpere, in Abuja, read in part.
It added that, “In the circumstances, CSJ urges the Minister of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation to fulfill its duty promptly by releasing these overdue budget implementation reports of the 2022 budget, as well as the first quarter implementation report of the 2023 budget, in adherence to the stipulations outlined in the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
“We call upon the government to prioritise transparency and accountability in public finance management, as these principles are fundamental to fostering trust, promoting good governance, and achieving sustainable development.”
