The federal government has said its focus remains steadfast on using the national budget as a veritable tool for delivering government’s commitment to all Nigerians. The government said it would then need a healthy collaboration among all its ministries, departments and agencies to achieve its renewed hope agenda.
“To achieve this, collaboration and synergy between the various MDAs is paramount. We must harmonise our sectoral policies and programmes with the overarching National Development Plan 2021- 2025 and the specific programmes of this administration.
“We must ensure that our efforts are synchronised, resources are optimally utilised, and the impact of our collective work resonates across the nation,” director-general of Budget Office of the Federation, Mr Ben Akabueze said.
The federal government has reiterated its commitment to advancing the efficiency and transparency of budgetary processes in Nigeria.
Akabueze made the statement at the training on budget preparation using the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System Budget Preparation Sub-System (GIFMIS/BPS), for all ministries, departments, and agencies in Abuja on Monday.
Akabueze who was represented by the director, expenditure at budget office, Isah Gwangwazo, said the training session underscores the determination to enhance fiscal discipline and accountability in the management of public funds. Akabueze said President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is firm in its commitment to fulfilling its promises to Nigerians.
Akabueze said it was essential to note that the President’s agenda sets the stage for a transformative era in the country.
“This agenda outlines the framework for sustainably achieving inclusive socio-economic growth, infrastructural development, and the overall well-being of our people, It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to integrate the tenets of this agenda into our respective roles and responsibilities,” he said.
Akabueze said that the GIFMIS budget preparation subsystem training programme serves as a platform to equip us with the tools and knowledge required to facilitate our budgetary processes.
He said the technology-driven system enhances efficiency, minimises bottlenecks and enhances accountability.
Akabueze said that MDAs are enjoined to study the budget call circular in detail and avoid making mistakes that should ordinarily be avoided if they had complied with the relevant sections of the call circular.
He said that one of the modules this year on key items and sections to note in the 2024 FGN budget call circular.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we have the BOF helpdesk running at full capacity currently to take care of all enquiries that budget officers may have in the course of the preparation of their respective budgets.
Technical adviser to Akabueze, Prof Olumide Ayodele said the resolution of all issues associated with 2023 budget preparation on the GIFMIS platform by MDAS includes the plan to acquaint them with basic steps, processes and procedures involved in preparing the personnel, overhead and capital budget, to explain the GIFMIS module for recording revenue, aid and grants.
The aim is to enhance the understanding and usage capacity of the MDAs, including how to report errors and resolve them.
The budget office intends to ensure a clear understanding of the process of creating, changing functions on the GIFMIS platform. According to Ayodele, the training will help to determine MDAs’ general understanding of the usage of GIFMIS for budget preparation and provide an avenue for training the trainers.
“To emphasise the need to prioritise ongoing Projects in 2024 capital budget preparation, to stress the need for quick preparation of the 2024 budget,” he said
Ayodele said that to demonstrate how capital projects should be captured as Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound (SMART) projects through practical hands-on exercise includes
“To deepen the process of budget ownership by respective MDAs, to obtain feedback from MDAS on how to further strengthen the budget process,” he said.