Femi Mustapha
The Kaduna State Government has partnered with the Open Government Partnership, Civil Society organizations (CSOs) and other Stakeholders to strengthen the transparency, accountability as well as Inclusiveness of the Government through the use of the Citizen’s Accountability Report (CAR).
The commissioner of finance, Muhammad Bashir Sa’idu stated this during the official public presentation of the Kaduna state government citizen’s accountability report(CAR) on the implementation of the 2021 budget tagged ‘Budget of Recovery’ organized by the commission.
The commissioner who was represented by the permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Muhammed Shuaibu said the partnership will increase openness and citizen engagement in the budget process, increase fiscal transparency and accountability.
He explained that the CAR document is a simplified document of the 2021 budget process and implementation which is readable to every citizen unlike when it was a bulky document.
While analysing the CAR, Yusuf Goje of CALPED said the Citizens’ Accountability Report is a series of graphic and tabular illustrations of the contents of the Audited Financial statement prepared by a government agency (State Audit office) on behalf of the govt of the citizens to ensure accountability of public funds.
He further said the report detailed the government’s performance in carrying out the duties assigned to it and the utilization of funds in the coffers of the government.
According to him accountability report is based on the financial statements for the financial year 2021 and the reports on state budget revenue and expenditure for 2021.
Speaking to the executive summary, he said the 2021 budget of Kaduna state was passed January, 2021 and budget implementation commenced on the 1st January 2021, noting there was no supplementary budget in the year.
Goje said the presentation of the document signified that the Gov’t has fulfilled one of the citizens’ demands by giving them a feedback on the budget and how they implemented it.
Also, the Deputy Accountant General, Aminu Sambo said the CAR has eleven citizen’s nominated project with Majority of them have reached an advanced stage of completion.
In her remark, the citizens co-chair, Open Government Partnership, Hadiza Umar said the presentation shows that Kaduna state is an OGP is working with the citizens in the budgeting process and implementation.
She therefore craved for the sustenance of the relationship between the govt and citizens.
