Obaseki boosts LG workers’ capacity on budget preparation

To align local governments’ budgetary processes with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s vision for efficient allocation of resources to engender inclusive growth, the Edo Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has organised a one-day workshop on Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and budget processes for local government officers in the state.

Addressing journalists, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Vera Obadan, said the workshop will boost the capacity of local councils in preparing their annual budget in line with global best practices.

Obadan noted, “Gone are the days when different projects are captured in the budget and at the end of the day, they are not implemented. We want to ensure that LGAs’ budgets are activity-based.”

She stressed the need for LGAs to synergize with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) office in the state to prevent duplication of projects during budget planning, adding, “LGAs should take over the projects executed by SDGs in their domain and put in their budget maintenance cost for the projects.”

Chairman, Ovia South West LGA, Hon. Dennis Enabulele, hailed the vision of the state government in organising the workshop, which will give room for interface between the state and local governments.

He noted that the workshop is a timely intervention as the local government councils prepare their 2019 budget, noting, “The workshop has exposed us to some of the rudiments of budget planning. It has broadened our knowledge, which will make us accountable for every kobo that comes to our councils.”

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