Borno: Commissioner For Finance Warns Accounting Officers Against Misappropriation of Public Funds
By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri
The Borno state commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planing, Hon Adamu Lawan has advised all ministries, Department and Agencies to adhered strictly to procurement Act, says any accounting officer found misappropriating of the approved 2023 budget assented by Governor Babagana Zulum. Would be sanctioned.
Briefing journalists at the technical highlight of the 2023 held at the International Conference Hall of the Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri on Wednesday, the Borno state Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic planning, Alhaji Adamu Lawan said “the attention of all Accounting Officers is drawn to fact that misappropriation of government funds will not be condoned and are as such advised to adhere and operate strictly in accordance with laid down rules and regulations. Failure to adhere to the laid down rules and regulations will result to their Expenditure Authorization Form not being signed.”.
The commissioner said ” I wish to welcome you all to this year’s highlights of the technical aspects of the 2023 approved budget which was passed into Law by the Honourable Members of the Borno State House of Assembly and assented by His Excellency on 3rd January, 2023.”
“The 2023 Budget which is tagged “Budget of Continuity for Sustainability” is saddle with the collective responsibility of fixing the State Economy. Government intends to encourage the private sector to actively participate in the recovery process through creating a deliberate friendly policy for investors. This will be done through the continuous disbursement of soft loans and advances that will help invigorate small and medium scale enterprises which in turn help the citizens to pick up their lives”, he said.
He said , all request for funds either in form of memo or otherwise must be covered by approved provisions and balance of the budget as well as certificate of no objection from the BPP., stressing It has been observed that most MDAs do not comply with, as failure to do so amount to violation of the Public Procurement Act. .
“All MDAs are strictly advised to use 2023 Approved Budget in quoting the MDAs’ Organizational and Economic Codes and also remember to fill the Expenditure Authorization Forms when requesting for funds through Memos. After approval have been granted, MDAs are to encouraged to submit expenditure returns (performance) timely.
In conclusion, accounting officers are advised to note that, the budget document is a set of policy guide which will enable MDAs operate during the 2023 fiscal year, Lawan added.
Lawan further explained that ” the success or otherwise of this policy will largely depend on each and every one of us. I therefore, once again crave your indulgence to operate strictly within the bounds of the budget so as to achieve the set objective.”.
While the details expenditure Performance from January to December 2022, Alhaji Lawan said “Budget 2022
Percentage achieved indicates that
Personnel Cost, 32,298,099,979 in 2023 as against 45,733,014,000 in 2022 , 70.5 , Overhead cost 23,199,185,633
53,004,374,00, 43.3 Pension and gratuity
10,600,717,112 10,170,696,000
80.5 Capital Expenditure
48,684,619,750 160,788,776,000
30.3 Total Budget Size 114,782,622,474
269,696,860,000″.
Reviewing the 2022 budget, the commissioned said ” gentlemen of the press, the 2022 budget size was N269,696,860,000.00; made up of capital expenditures, based on the fiscal forecast and guidelines provided by the World Bank to align the State realities of the time, This expenditure was financed through an estimated internally generated revenue of N20,765,080,000.00 and capital receipt of N97,086,322,000.00. As at 31st December, 2022 our actual revenue stood at N142,710,599,717.,70 ”
Lawan said “Internally Generated Revenue 19,198,880,899.70, state Share of Statutory Allocation 47,165,774,371.00
VATT 27,435,740,547.00
Excess Crude Oiil 4,772,084,189.00
Capital Receipts (Aids & Grants) 44,138,119,709.00 Grand Total N142,710,599,717.70”
“The breakdown of the expenditures in 2022 are as follows: RECURRENT EXPENDITURES/N DETAILS OF EXPENDITURE 2022 APPROVED BUDGET N ACTUAL EXPENDITURE JAN.-DEC.2022 N BUDGET PERFORMANCE IN % JAN.-DEC.2022”, he added.
