FENRAD calls for accountability framework in legislative scrutiny of 2026 Abia budget

Nkem Ukaegbu, Umuahia

Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has called on the Abia State House of Assembly to undertake thorough legislative scrutiny, transparent analysis, and strengthened oversight of the proposed 2026 State Budget presented by the Governor.

According to the Executive Director of FENRAD, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the ₦1.016 trillion budget proposal contains multiple fiscal, structural, and implementation concerns that must be addressed before passage to ensure prudent spending, accountability, and long-term financial stability for the State.

He noted that the approved 2025 budget for Abia State was ₦750,282,200,000, out of which ₦611.7 billion (about 82%) was earmarked for capital expenditure, while ₦138.6 billion (about 18%) was allocated to recurrent expenditure.

According to the 2025 Citizens’ Budget, the financing framework anticipated a budget deficit of ₦375.14 billion, to be covered through domestic borrowing (₦148.55 billion) and foreign loans (₦226.6 billion).

In mid-2025, the Abia State House of Assembly approved an additional ₦150 billion supplementary appropriation for the year.

The supplementary budget was passed under the 2025 Fiscal Year Appropriation Law (HAB 33), reportedly without amendments and through an accelerated process.

FENRAD underscored that deliberation on the 2026 budget must be informed by a full and transparent account of the 2025 fiscal year—covering actual performance against the approved budget, utilisation of the supplementary allocation, and relevant audit findings.

Without this, FENRAD warned, the 2026 proposal becomes speculative rather than a responsible planning document.

Specifically, FENRAD said the Assembly must request;” A 2025 Budget Performance Report comparing approved allocations with actual releases and expenditures for both recurrent and capital components.

“A 2025 Supplementary Budget Utilization Report detailing how the extra ₦150 billion was spent—on which sectors or projects, when, and with what outcomes.

The latest Audit Report(s), including state-wide audits, MDA-specific audits, and procurement audits. These are crucial for identifying irregularities, ghost projects, uncompleted commitments, or misallocations.

A full re-evaluation of the State’s debt sustainability, given borrowed funds for 2025 deficit financing and any additional borrowing.

With a 2025 deficit of ₦375 billion and a supplementary ₦150 billion, FENRAD said the proposed ₦409 billion deficit for 2026 demands an updated and publicly disclosed debt profile.

The 2026 budget projects Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at ₦223.4 billion—nearly double previous years. Given that 2025 IGR performance was partly financed through deficit borrowing, the Assembly must demand a credible breakdown and assessment of revenue sources.

FENRAD said the 2026 capital expenditure proposal of ₦811.8 billion should be evaluated based on actual project completion rates in 2025.

The Assembly must verify whether the extra ₦150 billion released in 2025 accelerated ongoing projects, addressed emergent needs, or was diverted.

FENRAD called for transparent disclosure and auditing of all contracts awarded—especially those funded through loans or supplementary allocations.

The group cautioned that with a high capital-to-recurrent ratio, allocations to health, education, social protection, climate resilience, and environmental programmes must not be sidelined for high-profile infrastructure projects.

FENRAD urged the lawmakers to, require submission and public presentation of the full 2025 Budget Performance Report, the 2025 Supplementary Budget Utilization Report, and all 2024–2025 Audit Reports.

Organise open, participatory public hearings involving civil society, the media, and citizens before approving the 2026 budget.

Undertake a comprehensive debt sustainability assessment before approving new borrowing or debt-financed projects.

Demand transparent procurement and contracting processes, including publication of awarded contracts, cost breakdowns, timelines, and performance safeguards.

Ensure that allocations for social protection, environmental resilience, climate adaptation, and basic services are protected and not displaced by heavy capital spending.

Prioritise completion of ongoing projects, especially those funded through the 2025 budget and supplementary appropriation, before approving new allocations.

Require MDAs to publish clear KPIs, timelines, and performance indicators tied to financial releases, linking future allocations to past performance and audit compliance.

FENRAD said the 2026 budget presents an opportunity for Abia State to consolidate reforms and accelerate development.

However, without rigorous legislative scrutiny and robust public oversight—grounded in verifiable data from the 2025 budget performance, supplementary spending, and audit findings—the State risks drifting into unsustainable debt, project abandonment, and weakened service delivery.

The organisation called on lawmakers, the media, civil society partners, and citizens to remain vigilant and actively engage to ensure the 2026 budget genuinely reflects the priorities and welfare of the people of Abia State.