The African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa), a civic organization committed to the promotion of fiscal transparency, responsible governance, and human rights,has commended the Abia State Government for its ongoing commitment to integrity in public service and accountability in fiscal management.
As one of the resolutions made during their recent Civil Society Roundtable on Transparency and Good Governance in Aba, Abia State, CHARS-Africa stated its firm belief that the domestication of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) at the state level is one of the most powerful means to institutionalize fiscal discipline, curb wastage of public resources, and ensure long-term development planning.
In a press release signed by Amaka Biachi Esq CHARS-AFRICA recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria enacted the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, to guarantee prudent management of the nation’s resources and to promote accountability and transparency in fiscal operations. This law mandates the publication of budget implementation reports, debt ceilings, medium-term expenditure frameworks, and other mechanisms that enhance financial predictability and citizen engagement.
While Abia State has taken commendable steps in areas of budget openness, procurement transparency, and civil service reforms, all to promote fiscal discipline, it is yet to domesticate the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which means that a critical component of fiscal governance is still left to discretion rather than legal obligation.
CHARS-AFRICA called on the Abia State Government and House of Assembly to:
✓. Immediately commence the process of domesticating Abia State Fiscal Responsibility Law to be tailored to local realities;
✓. Establish Abia State Fiscal Responsibility Commission to enforce compliance by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs);
Mandate the publication of quarterly budget performance reports, as provided under Section 50 of the FRA (2007);
✓. Institutionalize the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Annual Budget Ceilings, pursuant to Sections 11–18 of the Act; and
✓. Ensure that debt sustainability benchmarks are incorporated into all fiscal planning, to prevent over-borrowing and intergenerational fiscal harm.
The foremost civil society organization noted that the domestication of the FRA is not merely a policy preference but a democratic imperative. As provided under Section 4(7)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), State Houses of Assembly are empowered to legislate on any matter for the good governance and economic stability of the state.
In their words,Abia State cannot claim to champion transparency and fiscal prudence without institutionalizing the legal framework that makes them enforceable.
They urged the Government to seize this moment to set a progressive standard for subnational fiscal accountability in the South-East and beyond. Let Abia be the beacon of fiscal reform, not by proclamations, but through laws that bind all public officers (political and administrative) to act in the best interest of the people.
CHARS-Africa, promised to remain committed to partnering with government and citizens alike to advance good governance, combat fiscal abuse, and build a future of fiscal discipline where every naira counts.
