Yr2024: Anambra Assembly Scores MDAs 50% In Budget Implementation
The Anambra State House of Assembly says Ministries, Department and Agencies did not implement up to 50 of their budget approvals for the 2024 fiscal year.
The Assembly said this in the Report Of The Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
on the audited accounts of the Anambra government for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024 on Tuesday
The report which was presented to the public by Mr Chukwunonso Igwe, chairman of PAC said a total of 85 MDAs were invited and investigated.
The Assembly blamed the poor performance on non remittance of approved funds to the MDAs and lack of planning on their part.
It said some MDAs failed to reconcile balances or provide opening balances while some of the payment vouchers sighted were unsigned and lacked supporting documents such as receipts, approvals, or job completion certificates.
It said most MDAs, especially self-accounting agencies, could not justify revenue generation and remittance they claimed noting that there was no convincing evidence of projects executed.
The Assembly said total capital receipts
for the period under review was N222.6 billion and that most MDAs violated the appropriation law by undertaking expenditures that were not in line with the approved budget.
“The budget execution rate for capital expenditure was below 50 percent in most cases, despite approvals, many MDAs could not execute capital projects due to lack of fund releases or poor planning.
“Most MDAs failed to advertise tenders, conduct proper bid evaluations, or secure documented approvals, contracts were executed without requisite documentation, including payment vouchers and completion certificates.
“Some MDAs presented incomplete or mutilated cash books and payment vouchers, some of which lacked serial numbers, authorisations, or recipient signatures while multipurpose receipts were commonly used to retire large sums in violation of financial regulations.
“Most MDAs were poorly funded, this significantly hampered their effectiveness and operational capacity with special reference to Anambra State Polytechnic Mgbakwu and others,” it said.
The report said the MDAs neglected audit queries, resulting in unresolved issues year-on-year while their records were at variance with those of the office of Accountant General(A-G)
It regretted that internal auditors remained underutilised, were not empowered to function independently and that MDAs demonstrated poor understanding of financial procedures.
The House called for review of all the revenue windows in the State whose performances have been abysmal over the years with a view to improving them so as to boost the Internally Generated Revenue and a platform for monthly reconciliation of records between MDAs and A-G office.
“Governor should direct the A-G to ensure direct disbursement of approved funds to MDAs accounts which must ensure they are used for specific purposes for which it is meant to enhance proper budget tracking and accountability.
“The House recommends regular staff training in all the MDAs to improve capacity and increase efficiency and that approved funds should be used for the specific purpose for which it was meant for and not otherwise.
“We recognise the strides made in public financial management in the State but note that greater effort is required to enforce compliance and accountability standards,” it said.
