The Ebonyi State Ministry of Budget, Planning, Research, and Monitoring has officially kicked off the 2025 Budget Bilateral Discussions with a strong emphasis on adhering to the budget calendar and ensuring efficient resource allocation. The opening ceremony, held at the Budget Hall in Centenary City, Abakaliki, marked the beginning of a month-long process involving 108 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Mrs. Deborah Chinwe Okah, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Budget, Planning, Research, and Monitoring, commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for his unwavering support in ensuring the budget calendar is strictly followed. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Grace Mfom Williamson, the Commissioner expressed her satisfaction with the readiness of the Budget Committee and the Ministry to commence the process on schedule.
Mrs. Williamson emphasized the importance of punctuality and adherence to the scheduled dates for the MDAs, stressing that the process must be completed by the end of September. She urged all MDAs to recognize the significance of the discussions and to come prepared with the necessary templates to facilitate a smooth and efficient process.
“We want to advise that all the MDAs should be conscious of the enormity of this process and keep to their dates because everything we are going to do here has a time limit,” she stated. “We want to follow the calendar strictly because we have the mandate to get this done before the end of September.”
She also highlighted the importance of having a concise and realistic budget, noting that it is better to have a manageable budget that can be effectively implemented rather than an overly ambitious one that fails to deliver. Mrs. Williamson encouraged MDAs to utilize the budget manual available online as a guide and to seek assistance from the budget office if needed.
The Permanent Secretary, who also chairs the Ebonyi State Budget Bilateral Discussions Committee, praised the experience and dedication of the committee members. She called on them to be prepared for the intense work ahead, including late nights and sacrifices, to ensure the successful completion of the budget process.
Dr. U.S.A. Udu, the State Auditor General and a member of the Budget Committee, expressed his commitment to contributing his expertise to the process. He voiced concerns about the previous administration’s budget inaccuracies and called for the use of Departmental Vote Expenditure Analysis (DVEA) and Departmental Vote Revenue Analysis (DVRA) to monitor expenditures and revenues accurately.
Mr. Chijioke Ogbodo, Director of Macro in the Ministry, reminded participants of the importance of the budget as a crucial document second only to the constitution. He urged all involved to approach the discussions with seriousness and commitment, emphasizing the need for a financial document that truly serves the state’s interests.
Other key figures, including Mrs. Nnenna Una, representing the Accountant General, and Mrs. Chinyere Ituma, Director of Budget, expressed their readiness to contribute to the success of the discussions. They highlighted the importance of adhering to the timeline and the Ministry’s proactive steps in guiding the MDAs through the process.
The 2025 Budget Bilateral Discussions are scheduled to conclude on September 20, 2024, with the goal of producing a budget that is both efficient and reflective of the needs of Ebonyi State’s citizens.
