With raging insecurity and a high rate of poverty, Sokoto State has been ranked as the state with the worst fiscal transparency, accountability, and public finance management.
BudgIT Foundation, a socio-accountability platform, revealed this in its quarterly report on the States Fiscal Transparency League table, released recently.
The report has shown that out of the 36 states in Nigeria, Sokoto state in the Third Quarter (Q3) of 2024, came last (36th position) with 39% score.
The States Fiscal Transparency League (SFTL) quarterly assesses how well Nigerian states maintain fiscal transparency, accountability, and public finance management.
BudgIT’s SFTL aims to continue the World Bank’s States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme.
The World Bank’s SFTAS program aims to improve Nigerian states’ fiscal transparency, accountability, and sustainability.
The SFTL assesses states based on the availability and completeness of fiscal documents, functionality of state websites and e-procurement portals, and timeliness of publications.
BudgIT said, “The States Fiscal Transparency League initiative aims to sustain the gains of the World Bank’s SFTAS by tracking how well States continue to maintain fiscal transparency, accountability, accessibility and effective public finance management even after the stipends have dried up.”
Sokoto state scored zero on the audit report, accountant-general’s report and e-procurement portal and eight (8) on the state website with fiscal data.
This is coming as Sokoto maintains its first position as the poorest state in the country, according to the latest National Bureau of Statistics report in 2022.
The fiscal policy of Governor Ahmad Aliyu, analysts said, is devoid of any discipline or regards for prudence and frugality. For instance, last year, Sokoto state government allocated N15.520 billion for the purchase of vehicles for House of Assembly members, executive council members and special advisers.
Specifically, N3.1 billion was earmarked for 30 vehicles for House of Assembly members and management staff, N460 million was budgeted for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker’s fleet, while N500 million was allocated for 20 vehicles for government functionaries.
The state allocated N8.6 billion for the purchase of Toyota Prado SUVs for 30 executive council members, at N289 million each.
It also budgeted for the purchase of 40 Changan vehicles for special advisers, estimated at N2.8 billion.
The BudgIT report said, “In the third quarter of the State Fiscal Transparency League Table, Sokoto State ranked 36th, indicating significant gaps in its fiscal transparency practices.
“While the state achieved perfect scores in areas such as the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Approved Budget, it faced challenges in key areas like revenue reporting, audit transparency, and the e-procurement portal, scoring zero in each.
“Additionally, its state website with a fiscal data repository showed room for improvement. To enhance its fiscal transparency, Sokoto State should prioritize developing and implementing a comprehensive revenue reporting system, improve audit and accounting practices, and upgrade its e-procurement portal.
“Furthermore, the state should consider compartmentalizing its fiscal document repository on the website for better accessibility and transparency, and invest in capacity-building programs for relevant personnel to strengthen overall fiscal governance.”
Sokoto ranked 35th in the second quarter of the State Fiscal Transparency League Table, revealing significant challenges in its fiscal transparency efforts.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Government has unveiled an assessment roadmap that consists of an integrated software for periodic appraisal of Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) performances.
Dr Abubakar Zayyana, State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, disclosed this at the end of a stakeholders meeting on Thursday in Sokoto.
“The roadmap is a plan to achieve certain objectives of the ministry in the next 12 months and equally provide support towards achieving desired success in line with the Nine-Points Agenda of the Gov. Ahmad Aliyu-led administration,” he said.
