In a move that promises to improve fiscal accountability and transparency, the Civil Society Organizations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative in Nigeria, CSCHEI, has set out modalities for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the 2024 Federal Budget.
While speaking with newsmen, the Director-General of the CSCHEI, Kunle Yusuff MON, disclosed that CSOs are an important source of information for both citizens and the Government, adding that budget control mechanisms are the processes of managing, monitoring, and adjusting cash flow to ensure both human development and infrastructural development tracking.
He noted that it is imperative for the Civil Society Organizations to work with Government to ensure transparency and accountability for enhancement of Social Economic Development Indicators, Gross Domestics Products (GDP), Life Expectancy, Literacy, Levels of Employment, Environmental Sustainablity, Basic and Secondary Education, and Social Dignity in in the country.
Yusuf said further: “At this critical time of economic challenges in our dear Country, every hand must be on the desk for fairness and equity. The erra of wasting or stealing taxpayers’ money should be a foregone issue in Nigeria.”
“CSCHEI will work with relevant Federal Government establishments in making sure that every budgetary provision is spent judiciously.”
“In 2024, we are prepared to work with the desk officer of Mr. President on Monitoring and Evaluation, Sustainable Development Goals, National Assembly Committees on Public Accounts, Bearu of Public Procurement achieve desirable goals.”
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President would not be achieved if 2024 budgetary provisions lack meritorious monitoring and evaluations.”
“We will engage Director General of Budget on the reasons for Nigeria Delta Development Commission to get budget of 338. 94 Billiion and Universal Basic Education in Nigeria get 263.04 billion and the North East Development Commission also gets a budget of 131. 836 billion, while the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency in Nigeria will get 131.522 billion.”
“CSCHEI applauds Mr. President for the appointment of seasoned administrator and experienced lawmaker as Chief of Staff. CSCHEI will soon announce a standing committee that will be involved in all the bidding processes, projects awarding documentation, and implementation of the project to completion and handover.”
“May also use the opportunity to share with you that CSCHEI is prepared in partnership with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, to provide training for education administrators in Nigeria, training for NGOs and CBOs on intelligence gathering reporting, Integration of Sustainable Development Goals, Extremism.”
“Radicalisation, Cybersecurity Crime Advocacy, Climate Change/Actions Financing, Environmental Hazards Preparation, Documentation on Grants Accessibility, Food Security Advocacy, Emergency and Disasters, Tax Reforms Advocacy, and Needs Assessments Documentations”
“As a link between Government and masses, in 2024, appropriate information will be disseminated, Government Policy’s will be monitored, Government Officials will be held accountable to be responsible and citizenry will be encouraged to be civil and perform their obligations,” he said