The Ekiti State Government now ranks as the fourth most Budget transparent State in Nigeria according to the 2020 Nigerian States Budget Transparency Survey undertaken by the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDC).
The Centre’s ranking is based on a number of factors including contents and public availability of budget documents, involvement of citizens in the budget process, and public access to state procurement information.
According to the 2020 survey which is the third edition of the Nigerian States Budget Transparency Survey, Ekiti State moved 20 places up from the 24th position in 2018 to 4th position in 2020, a ranking which apparently reveals the commitment of the Dr Kayode Fayemi-led government in the State to transparency, accountability and citizens’ participation in governance.
The survey report indicated that 26 States improved their disclosure of budget information by scoring five points or more in comparison to 2018 while 9 states experienced drop of points.
The Centre attributed the development to the failure of the affected State to publish budget documents online; questioning why the documents were no longer considered publicly available.
Budget documents which boosted Ekiti State ranking include the publishing of State Draft Budget Estimates, State Appropriation law, State Approved Estimates, State Quarterly reports, State Auditor-General’s report, State Accountant-General’s report, State Mid-year report, and State Citizens budget.
This gave Ekiti State 60% in the 2020 Nigerian States Budget Transparency, with the use of the state government website www.ekitistate.gov.ng as a platform for publishing important public documents.
According to CIRDDC, public participation in the budget process is integral to producing legitimate, inclusive and responsive state budgets.
