By Solomon OKPO | Uyo.
The Akwa Ibom State Government has inaugurated the 2027 Budget Committee, with the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob Almond, urging Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to intensify revenue generation and eliminate leakages to sustain the state’s development programmes.
The committee was inaugurated on Monday by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Nsikan Linus Nkan, at the conference room of the ministry, State Secretariat, Uyo.
Bob, who was present at the inauguration, commended Governor Umo Eno for what he described as a deliberate and proactive approach to budget preparation and fiscal management.
He said the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning had further strengthened the coordination of the state’s budget process and demonstrated the administration’s commitment to prudent and strategic management of public resources.
The Finance Commissioner noted that the Governor’s leadership of the Budget Committee would enable him to provide direct guidance, make inputs and identify critical areas requiring government intervention.
Bob called on revenue generating MDAs to collaborate effectively with the Budget Committee and strengthen the Treasury Single Account (TSA) mechanism to block revenue leakages and enhance internally generated revenue.
He stressed that improved revenue performance was essential to the successful implementation of the 2027 budget and the achievement of the administration’s ARISE Agenda.
“This is a yearly event, and I want to thank His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno PhD for what he has done over the years. He has been very detailed in what he expects of this committee. Let us work together to ensure we realise the aspirations of the state,” Bob said.
He added: “Let us guard against a drop in revenue. Rather, we should work towards greater revenue generation from all our income sources.”
In his remarks, Nkan described the annual budget as a major instrument for translating government policies, programmes and priorities into concrete development outcomes.
He explained that the committee had the responsibility of coordinating a transparent, realistic and timely budget preparation process that would reflect the needs and priorities of the state.
According to him, the committee would engage the various MDAs to develop a comprehensive budget aligned with the ARISE Agenda and the development vision of the Eno administration.
Nkan further urged MDAs to demonstrate transparency and accountability while adhering strictly to the approved timelines for the budget preparation process.
He stressed that effective collaboration among MDAs was necessary to ensure the efficient allocation and utilisation of available public resources.
The Commissioner maintained that the quality, credibility and timely preparation of the 2027 budget would be critical to its successful implementation and the sustained delivery of development projects and programmes across the state.
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