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By Daniel Adaji
The Fiscal Responsibility Commission has urged Local Government Councils in Anambra State to tighten their financial management systems and embrace stronger accountability practices across all stages of governance.
The call came during a recent capacity-building workshop on the Local Government Accountability Framework, held at Awka.
The Commission’s spokesperson, Bede Anyanwu disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
The training brought together senior local government officials, particularly those in finance, accounts, and planning, alongside development partners and representatives of agencies such as the ICPC, CCB, BPP, ROLAC, with IDEA as sponsors. The Resident Commissioner of the ICPC in Anambra State also attended.
Speaking for the Commission, Ado Hassan, Deputy Director in the Policy and Standards Directorate, stressed the need for councils to embed fiscal responsibility principles throughout the budget cycle.
He said compliance should begin with preparing the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), continue through annual budgeting and implementation, and culminate in monitoring and the timely publication of Approved Audited Financial Statements.
He described the MTEF as “the bedrock of credible public financial planning,” adding that strict adherence helps ensure budgets remain realistic, strategic, and aligned with long-term development goals. Hassan noted that without transparent execution and proper auditing, “the impact of public spending cannot be objectively measured.”
The Commission warned that accountability at the local level is essential for restoring public trust and ensuring that funds meant for community development are used responsibly. With citizens increasingly demanding openness in public spending, it urged councils to strengthen internal controls, adopt transparent procurement systems, and improve the credibility of their financial reporting.
Hassan reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting sub-national governments with training, guidelines, monitoring tools, and early-warning systems to help them comply with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and national financial management standards.
The workshop covered core areas such as MTEF preparation, budget formulation and credibility, cash management, expenditure control, value-for-money procurement, internal audit processes, financial oversight, and the preparation and publication of Audited Financial Statements. It also highlighted the roles of oversight institutions and opportunities for citizen participation.
Participants described the session as timely, especially as local governments prepare for a new fiscal cycle. They agreed that greater transparency and accountability would boost service delivery and deepen collaboration with development partners and civil society groups.
The Commission maintained that entrenching fiscal responsibility at the grassroots remains crucial to achieving Nigeria’s wider development ambitions. It pledged continued collaboration with state governments, local councils, and oversight institutions to strengthen public financial governance nationwide.