Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, announced plans to establish a Fiscal Responsibility Agency in the state. The governor made this known on Thursday while opening the three-day South-East Zonal Retreat on Fiscal Responsibility for sub-national governments and Civil Society Organizations in Owerri.
Represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Chuck Chukwuemeka, Uzodimma emphasized the importance of accountability and sustainability in governance, particularly under a democratic dispensation. He stated, “The Imo State government will soon establish a Fiscal Responsibility Agency to ensure that appropriate fiscal laws are fully implemented for the benefit of the masses.”
The governor also praised the efforts of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission in raising awareness among states on the importance of sustainable economic development.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Chief Victor Muruako, highlighted the essential role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in advocating for transparency, accountability, and prudent management. He noted that the Fiscal Responsibility Act empowers CSOs to enforce the Act’s provisions through the courts.
Muruako called on academia to process fiscal data for public use and suggested that postgraduate research projects should focus on the connections between transparency, accountability, prudence, and economic development.
He further explained that the Commission has developed various strategies to encourage states to adopt fiscal practices aligned with those at the federal level. These efforts have led to the establishment of fiscal responsibility legislation in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo States, mirroring that of the Federal Government. He also noted that all five states in the Southeast have published their 2023 Annual Financial Statements online.
The retreat, themed “Fostering Fiscal Accountability: Sub-Nationals and Civil Society Collaboration,” aims to strengthen the collaboration between government entities and civil society to enhance fiscal responsibility at the state level.
Muruako cautioned citizens to exercise their power responsibly, basing their actions on evidence rather than anecdotes.