November 19, (THEWILL) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the State2State Activity, has commenced support for fiscal reforms in the Akwa Ibom state public sector to promote transparency, accountability and good governance.
In an interactive session in Uyo on Thursday, the State2state team lead, Mr. Borve Paago-Imabel, explained that the five-year project is meant to provide technical support to key state institutions working on public finance management including budgeting, procurement, debt management, audit, Internal generated Revenue IGR generation and core services delivery sectors of education, health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
Imabel pointed out that the project will be supporting the budgeting process through technical skill building in national account charts, medium term expenditure framework (MTEF), budget consultation and analysis, and citizen engagement.
In revenue generation, the project is providing support with IGR expansion, targeting IGR generating institutions through learning visits and IGR expansion strategy development.
He said the project is being conducted in partnership with key states institutions such as the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, which renders foundational assessments and engagements to help the citizens create project plans in the state.
Imabel said, “We have commenced support for fiscal reforms in Akwa Ibom state public sector to promote transparency, accountability and good governance.
“The project is partnering with key state institutions including the State House of Assembly in its work in the state has deployed a series of foundational assessments and engagements which helped citizens groups in co-creating the project plans for the state.
“The project has supported the state in achieving key Disbursement Link Indicators of the World Bank assisted SFTAS Project.
“The process also targeted Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders including private sector organisations for capacity building. These critical stakeholders have been engaged in conflict mitigation trainings to address key conflict drivers in the state including land disputes, youth restiveness, perceived marginalisation some of which are linked to unemployment and could escalate as 2023 elections set in.”
The team lead further stated that the Akwa Ibom state government has constituted a transformation committee and is working closely with the USAID.
“To further achieve its overarching goal in the state, the state constituted the State Transformation Committee and have continued to work closely with the project, while key officials and leadership of MDAs have been primary beneficiaries of the trainings and mentoring from the project in the state.
“And with the State2State support, Akwa Ibom state is on course to deepen and sustain fiscal reforms,” he added.
About the Author
