The dynamism of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) in recent time has been brought to the fore, revealing the real essence for which men and women of proven integrity were selected by the electorates to represent different constituencies in the hallowed chamber of the Assembly. The election of these men allowed the entire people of the state to have a voice through their representatives in the running of the state. Beyond speaking for their various constituencies, as lawmakers with many oversight functions, the representatives of the people must ensure that both individual and cooperate interest in the state are well tweeted as enshrine in the law of the land.
Today, the Rt. Hon Sam Ikon’s led 5th Assembly also known as the People’s Assembly has matched words with action using different approaches to ensure that the much cherished uncommon transformation of the present administration continue to see the light of the day. The legislators unwavering support to the executive could be measured with the number of executive bills passed into law since the inception of the 5th Assembly. As an arm of government, the legislature in Akwa Ibom State plays its role without conflicting with the executive or any other arm of government. This further makes it possible for the executive arm to deliver dividend of democracy to the people as expected.
On December 11, 2013, the 5th Assembly played host to the executive arm led by the Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio CON during which the 2014 State Appropriation was presented. This was in preparation for the commencement of another fiscal year with ease. Moreover, the Governor also announced his intention to complete all ongoing projects before his exit in May 2015 hence christened the budget as budget of actualization.
With the total of N469.3b budget size, the recurrent expenditure was put at N74.2b while capital expenditure N383b. For the first time in the history of budgeting, a new accounting system was introduced known as International Public Sector Accounting System (IPSAS). The idea of IPSAS according to the Governor is to allow for detailed explanation of the budget and also guard against double entries. To most Akwa Ibom people, the introduction of IPSAS is a clear indication that the government meant well for the people.
The House through its committee on Finance and Appropriation after attending IPSAS training in Ghana swung into action on Monday January 20th with aim to do justice to the budget based on the new accounting system. When the Committee settled down to work some ministries and agencies appeared to defend their 2014 budget estimate. Credit to the new accounting standard and the eagle eye of the committee, functions, role and duties of some Ministries, Agencies, Boards and Commissions were found to have been duplicated. For instance, when the Ministry of Health appeared for its defense, the Honourable Commissioner made his position known on the alleged role conflict with Hospital Management Board on supervisions and management of facilities.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Emamabasi Bassey was commended by the House Committee Chairman, Hon Barr Onofiok Luke for his effort in repositioning the Ministry and the entire health sector describing him as a square peg in square hole. The chairman of the Health Management Board, Sir Val Attah had earlier accused the Ministry of taking over the duties of the Board which according to him was at the implementation phase as well as the management of hospitals and maintain personnel, a duty, the Health Ministry has taken over.
The perceived role conflict between the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth and Sport also caught the attention of the lawmakers on sporting activities among schools in the state. The programme which aimed at discovering talents among the young ones in school should be clearly defined.
The state Technical School Board was not also left out as the Ministry of Education also duplicated its functions as alleged by the State Technical School Board.
This duplication would not have been discovered if IPSAS accounting system was not introduced. The repetition of items in ministries budget calls for questioning since IPSAS prohibits it. But the question is, before now what happened to in such duplications?
Does it mean that government was extravagant in spending? No wonder why the lawmakers had to educate even some of the Exco members (Commissioners) on the implementation of the new budgetary system. In most cases the Committee Chairman, Hon Luke will tell his guest in pigin english “we dey siddon jeje exco come introduce IPSAS give us” this is because some members of the Exco seems to disagree on the application of IPSAS when asked to justify.
Looking at IPSAS critically, it would save the state millions of naira if it is sincerely adopted thereby making it more economical for a state that is looking for more funds for its capital development. More monies will be saved for other life touching project in a growing state like Akwa Ibom. The economy of the state will also compete with others in the country and beyond.
The Committee of Appropriation and Finance and the State House of Assembly has done their part. For 7 days, the committee members were on hand to ensure that the 2014 budget is well attended to.
The executive therefore must know that to deliver on their mandate, attention should be given on implementation of the budget as recommended by IPSAS. If not the time and energy spent by the Assemblymen will be in vein.
UDOFIA, is an Uyo based journalist and publisher of National Gong Newspaper
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