The PDP Asue/Ogie Diaspora Media Directorate has extended heartfelt congratulations to Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Edo State Government for ranking first in Nigeria’s Fiscal Transparency League Table, an achievement that encapsulates Edo State’s commitment to transparent governance and fiscal responsibility.
This commendation was expressed in a press statement issued from London, United Kingdom, and signed by Deacon Darlington Okpebholo Ray, the Director of Media, along with Prince Ralph Odua, Secretary, in New York, United States. Other signatories include Dr. Peter Uwaibi in London, Mr. Semi Eriyo Sr. in Boston, United States, and Mr. Henry Edeko in London.
The Edo State Government has demonstrated exemplary performance, surpassing 34 other Nigerian states and tying with Anambra State in BudgIT’s 2024 Quarter One Fiscal Transparency League Table. BudgIT’s assessment, available on its website, focused on the availability and comprehensiveness of key fiscal documents, the functionality of state websites and e-procurement portals, and the timeliness of publications.
In Q1 2024, the fiscal transparency across Nigerian states varied significantly, impacting their rankings on the States’ Fiscal Transparency League (SFTL) table. Edo and Anambra led the rankings with a 93% score out of 100%, followed by Ekiti (92%), Jigawa (92%), and Ebonyi (87%). At the bottom were Benue (42%), Kebbi (42%), Bayelsa (40%), Borno (32%), and Imo (31%).
BudgIT praised Edo State’s performance, stating, “Having a tie and sharing similar strengths with Anambra, it needed a better arrangement of documents on their website.” The key indicators for the ranking included the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), Proposed Budget, Approved Budget, Citizens’ Budget, Budget Implementation Reports, Audit Reports, Accountant General’s Report/Financial Statement, e-procurement Portal, and the State’s website with fiscal repository. Each indicator was rated for its availability, timeliness, and comprehensiveness.
The report highlighted the importance of the MTEF, noting, “The MTEF is an annual three-year expenditure planning document that sets out medium-term expenditure priorities and hard budget constraints against which sector plans can be developed and refined. MTEF also contains outcome criteria for the purpose of performance monitoring.
MTEF, together with the annual Budget Framework Paper, provides the basis for annual budget planning. The MTEF is expected to be published on the states’ website before the end of Q3.”
Also adding his voice to the commendation of Governor Obaseki’s achievements, the Deputy Director General Diaspora of the Campaign Management Council, Manchester, UK based Pastor Raymond Osereimen expressed his gratitude to the Governor for the enviable height he has taken the state in all segments of development and emphasised that only Asue Ighodalo has the capacity and understanding build on the Obaseki has laid down and improved on what has been done to set the state on its path of a first world sub-national development.
The statement by PDP Asue/Ogie Diaspora Media Directorate emphasized that these monumental achievements under Governor Obaseki make campaigning for their candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, significantly easier. “Governor Obaseki’s commitment to transparency and good governance is a testament to the progress Edo State is making. This sets a strong foundation for Dr. Asue Ighodalo to build upon and continue driving positive change,” the statement read.
The Directorate also reiterated its confidence in Dr. Ighodalo’s capability to sustain and enhance these achievements, ensuring Edo State remains a leader in fiscal transparency and governance.