Skip to main content

COVID-19, Public Spending and Accountability in Kaduna State.


Hand washing in compliance with Covid-19 protocols
 


By YUSUF GOJE

The way Kaduna State government is handling the Covid-19 pandemic can be faulted on other grounds but not on the pro-activeness and decisiveness with which it is confronting the resultant public health crisis and its socio-economic consequences. Objectively speaking, the decisions, many of which  are controversial, remain the most viable alternative for any serious government to take in emergencies like this. After all, unusual times require unusual measures. 

The Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-rufai, on various public platforms has disclosed his readiness to face any resultant consequences of such decisions. Now that the government is getting a hold on how to contain the spread of the pandemic, even though the numbers keep rising, it is time for citizens to begin to also ask the right questions. This is necessary because the global economy is contracting at an accelerated pace. Sub-nationals, like Kaduna state (in a mono-economy like Nigeria) who are not immune to the shocks, are bound to feel the pressure due to plummeting revenue base.

More attention now needs to be paid as to how the available lean resources are being expended by the State government especially on covd-19 interventions. Particular focus should be on whether: resources are being allocated to strategic priorities, is there value for money in the emergency service delivery, and adherence to the principles of transparency and accountability in the process. In this regard, public tracking and demand for accountability in the procurement/contracting and service delivery process remains paramount. 

The State government has proactively disclosed information on the total amount of donations and  allocations to palliatives since the outbreak; however, procurement information on covid-19 interventions is yet to be made public in line with the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS). This may not be unconnected with the provision of section 6, Emergency Procurement, of the Infectious Disease (Protection) Regulations 2020. It states that, “ *the Governor shall have power to dispense with the strict compliance of all or any part of the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law of 2016 or any other Law for the procurement of any materials, items or services relating to Covid-19 pandemic during the period of lockdown”* .

In simple terms, the Governor has been empowered to carry-out procurement without sufficient adherence to the due process and procedures. Even though it is good intentioned, it is more prone to abuse. Granted that emergency procurement is among the rapid decisions needed to effectively respond to the pandemic; however, it is still important that the abridged procedure adopted is made public, open and transparent. 

The lockdown has now been substantially lifted; it is critical and expedient that residents of the state initiate an intensive advocacy campaign to demand for proper accountability of public spending. This will not only unravel wastages and corruption where they exist, but also build citizen's trust, which is necessary if we are to win the fight against the ravaging pandemic. From our search and engagement with the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA), it appears that information on the emergency procurements being carried-out is not readily available.

 This is worrisome in the light of the administration’s global recognition and commendations for being reform-driven. Indeed, it is a true test of the administration’s commitment to ongoing reform initiatives like the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability & Sustainability (SFTAS) program.

In view of the above, it is best practce that the government make public the details of the contingency budget being used to fund the emergency procurements, amendments made to the annual plan of public procurement due to Covid-19, information on pre-tender communication with suppliers (especially urgent procurement), details of the contractors/suppliers, items purchased (for instance, the prices and quantities of face masks, ventilators, respirators, medicines etc), information on the process of contract implementation, quarterly report on the procurement done and information on steps taken in order to prevent or respond to the cases of price-gouging.

 As regards the palliative distribution, information on the items procured (outside those donated), cost of logistics, allowances paid and total list of beneficiaries should equally be subjected to public scrutiny. This will increase citizen’s approval rating of the administration if carried-out in line with the principles of transparency and accountability.

Goje is Head of Leadership, Governance & Advocacy of the Coalition of Associations for Leadership, Peace, Empowerment & Development (CALPED)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Expert advocates for prudence and and accountability in Treasury Management

                                                                   By EDDY OCHIGBO L ack of efficient and prudent treasury management in the country have been identified as the source of fraud and sharp practices in nation's public and private sector. Dropping the hint during a breakfast meeting with Correspondents in Kaduna during the week, the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management of Nigeria, Mr Adedoyin Olumide, reiterated that poor treasury management remains the bane of public and private finance utilization in the country, calling for greater synergy among all professionals in accounting, banking and finance. He disclosed tha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fiscal responsibility: Kaduna State's debt burden and unrealistic budgeting

By YUSUF ISHAKU GOJE T he budget is said to be the second most important document outside the constitution, without which even the constitution cannot fully function. It enables governments to turn campaign promises articulated as policies into concrete public services that seek to improve the overall living standard of the people. That is why it remains the most critical socio-economic policy tool that outlines the government's priorities in financial terms. The extent to which the government's proposed spending sticks to what it has projected as realistic revenue makes a budget credible. Therefore, it also becomes a measurement of government's sincerity and capacity to deliver on campaign promises. More importantly, the credibility of any budget depends on its realism, as you cannot spend what you cannot get. That means for a budget to be realistic it has to be substantially achievable. However, politicians are always under pressure to spend more, most times overshooting ...
Post a Comment
Read more

NIGERIA: Need for more transparency in Education

Pupils in a class without facilities A seasoned governance and human development expert, Dr Otive Igbuzor has identified lack of monitoring, accountability and transparency in the system, as the major factors militating against the progress of the nation's waning education sector and called for a holistic and well-thought-out approach to reverse the trend. Igbuzor who made this known at a one-day parley with Correspondents and Media Executives in Kaduna Nigeria, spoke extensively on the root causes of corruption, the need for probity in the education sector, budget analysis as well as education as key to human development. The one-day sensitization program put together by Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW/LEADS) alongside Mac Arthur Foundation, harped on 'enhancing reportage on Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) projects in the state as well as Public Procurement Process in the sector' to strengthen accountability and transparency in the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Anniversary Feature: A Toast for Nigeria @ 59

By Yusuf Goje T he fundamental difference between dictatorship and a liberal democracy is the existence of the legislative arm in the latter. The legislative arm empowers the people via direct representation of their elected legislators to amplify and reflect their voices (needs) in decision-making process; such as in law-making, appropriation and other national or state issues. It is envisaged that the legislative arm either at the Federal or State level should be the closest link between the people and government. As the legislators are expected to regularly consult their constituents on legislative issues to be tabled and provide feedback on the resolutions reached at the Assembly. In view of the foregoing, Nigeria which practice a Federating system  with the States as component units has seen section 90 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria establish the House of Assembly of a State; while section 100 provides for the mode of ex...
Post a Comment
Read more

PERL trains Planning Officers, Citizens on Accountability, Service Delivery

  As Stakeholders review 2022 Local Government Draft Budget Cross-section of participants at the engagement during a session   By EDDY OCHIGBO, Kaduna  I n its sustained drive to enhance accountability and seamless service delivery at the local government level in Kaduna state, Partnership to Engage and Learn in collaboration with Local Government Accountability Mechanism (LGAM), on Monday October 25, 2021, organized a two-day technical session to increase the capacity and technical expertise of citizen groups and planning officers in the state.  To this end, the Local Government Accountability Mechanism (LGAM), a collaborative initiative of the Ministry for Local Government Affairs, Civil Society partners and Partnership to Engage, Reform & Learn (PERL/FCDO), working as technical working groups to strengthen governance at the grassroots, have reviewed the Kaduna state 2022 budget with trend analysis, observations and recommendations. The review of the ₦1,134,051...
Post a Comment
Read more