Anambra State is now number one in the Q1 States Fiscal Transparency Ranking out of the thirty-six states of the federation.
This is according to the States Fiscal Transparency League (SFTL) Table Q1 of 2024 Scores released by BudgiT Nigeria.
Anambra is closely followed by Edo, Ekiti, and Jigawa states. While Ebonyi climbs to the top five, Imo, Borno, and Bayelsa at the bottom.
This is the first time Anambra state has hit this point since its creation.
READ ALSO: Gunmen Kill Security Operative, Two Others In Anambra
According to Christian Aburime, the Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the feat once again proves the profound impact of Soludo’s innovative and responsible leadership.
“This feat is not merely a statistical victory but a further authentication of the transformative governance that has characterised his administration,” he said.
Aburime noted that “the SFTL ranking is a meticulous evaluation, scrutinising the availability and comprehensiveness of key fiscal data, the efficiency of state websites and e-Procurement portals, and the punctuality in publishing crucial financial information.
“It is a rigorous assessment that many falter at, yet Anambra State has excelled, setting a standard for others to follow. This performance can be attributed to the seamless and timely management of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), proposed and approved budgets, and the operational efficacy of Anambra State’s e-Procurement portal.”
He says that Governor Soludo’s stewardship of over two years has been marked by a relentless pursuit of transparency and accountability, principles that are pivotal for the sustainable development of any society, and his administration’s commitment to fiscal transparency is reflective of his mantra of “Doing More with Less,” a philosophy that prioritises prudence, efficiency, and the responsible use of resources.
These values have not only enhanced the state’s financial management but have also reinforced public trust and engagement, he said.
BudgIT, a civic organisation renowned for using creative technology to simplify public information, has been instrumental in highlighting the fiscal impact made by Anambra State under Soludo.
Their ranking initiative, which follows the World Bank’s State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme, aims to sustain the gains of fiscal transparency by continuing to track how well Nigerian states manage public resources.
