A fiscal responsibility index initiated to assess the level of compliance of federal government ministries with the fiscal responsibility act has identified the Ministries of Finance, Women Affairs and Health as some of the institutions lagging behind.
The report which was launched by the Centre for Social Justice in conjunction with the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) further probed public agencies’ adherence to the Medium Term Expenditure Framework as well as the national budget and the vision 2020 document.
The report revealed that the Federal Ministry of Environment topped the index as one of the most fiscally responsible agencies with a score 69.36 per cent of all the16 MDAs assessed in the pilot survey.
The Ministry of Lands and Housing scored 67.62 per cent, follwed by Works which scored 67.49 per cent.
Others were Mines and Steel, 66.86 per cent and Agriculture 66.65 per cent. However, eleven of the ministries examined scored below the 66 per cent benchmark for fiscal responsibility.
The report said although none of the agencies scored up to 70 per cent, they were able to attain the 66 per cent minimum benchmark which is the accepted level of fiscal responsibility in MDAs.
In total, However, 11 ministries scored below the 66 per cent benchmark for fiscal responsibility.
The report stated that the ministry of health recorded the least score of 39.08 per cent in the assessment while women affairs and finance ministries had 52.14 per cent and 55.59 per cent respectively.
The report noted: ”The final scores of the fiscal responsibility index shows that there are still lots of work to be done at every MDA.
“None of the MDAs could make the 70 per cent of the score. There is every need for improvement across the MDAs whether at the top or at the lower area of the index.”
It said: “This is important because sound fiscal policy and its attendant fiscal responsibility can have important long-term effect on the health of the Nigerian economy through its desired impact on not only national saving but also growth of productivity.”
Speaking yesterday at the unveiling of the study in Abuja, the acting Chairman, FRC, Mr. Victor Muruako, disclosed that the commission had so far recovered the sum of N367 billlion from MDAs which were hiterto unwilling to comply with the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) which mandates them to pay some operational surplus into the treasury.
He said the need for fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency had become important in the light of the present administration’s quest for good governance devoid of corruption.
He noted: “The government’s fiscal and budget system is a powerful tool for ensuring growth, productivity and prosperity. However, poor budget implementation and public expenditure have, over the years, become a constraint to effective governance.
“Of recent, there has been a renewed call for government agencies not to shirk their responsibility in remittance of their operating surplus.
“Since it began operation in 2009, the commission has made remittance of operating surplus by MDAs it’s battle cry such that it has forced the payment of over N367 billion operation surplus by MDAs to the CRF.”
By: James Emejo
Thi Day News
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