The federal government has charged ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to remain steadfast on using the budget as a veritable tool for delivering government’s commitment to all Nigerians.
Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, gave this charge yesterday at the opening of the 2024 Budget Preparation training on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System Budget Preparation Sub-System (GIFMIS/BPS), for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) holding in Abuja.
He said the training is aimed at enhancing their collective capacity to effectively use the Budget Preparation Sub-System of the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System in the budget preparation process.
According to him, “Your presence reaffirms our shared commitment to advancing the efficiency and transparency of our budgetary processes. This training session underscores our determination to enhance fiscal discipline and accountability in the management of public funds.
“As we gather here, it is imperative that we recognize the significance of our roles in aligning our activities with the aspirations of the Nigerian people and the development agenda of the current administration. President Tinubu’s administration is firm in its commitment to fulfilling its promises to our citizens.”
He said that collaboration and synergy between the various MDAs is paramount. “We must harmonize 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 synchronized, resources are optimally utilized, and the impact of our collective work resonates across the nation,” Akabueze said.
He charged the participants to note that President Tinubu’s Agenda sets the stage for a transformative era in Nigeria. “This agenda outlines the framework for sustainably achieving inclusive socio-economic growth, infrastructural development, and the overall well-being of our people,” he said, adding, “It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to integrate the tenets of this agenda into our respective roles and responsibilities.”
He explained that the GIFMIS Budget Preparation Subsystem Training programme serves as a platform to equip participants with the tools and knowledge required to facilitate the budgetary processes. This technology-driven system, according to him, “enhances our efficiency, minimizes bottlenecks, and enhances accountability.
“I urge you all to actively participate in the training sessions, share insights, and seize this opportunity to foster collaboration among MDAs. Let us harness the power of information technology to build a more transparent, accountable, and effective government machinery.”
He urged MDAs 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 noted that emphasis will be made in 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,” he said.