FENRAD demands transparency, public engagement in Abia’s N150bn budget

Nkem Ukaegbu, Umuahia

Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has strongly criticized the Abia State House of Assembly for its hasty approval of a supplementary budget to the tune of ₦150 billion without adequate public engagement or constituency-level consultation.

In a statement signed by Executive Director, FENRAD, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, they condemned what it described as a “blatant disregard for transparency, accountability, and participatory governance,” emphasizing that the legislative action falls short of democratic norms and the spirit of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which upholds the sovereignty of the people.

“The passage of a supplementary budget of such magnitude without consulting constituents or engaging civil society stakeholders raises serious questions about legislative accountability and fiscal responsibility,” said Nwafor.

FENRAD noted that budgetary matters, especially supplementary budgets, should be subject to open hearings, stakeholder consultations, and community input, especially when they involve significant financial implications for current and future generations.

The organization further called on the Abia State Government and its legislative arm to embrace proactive disclosure in line with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2011, urging the immediate publication of:

The full breakdown and justification of the ₦150 billion supplementary budget.

Implementation timelines and responsible MDAs; the impact assessment reports (if any) related to the budget proposal; any debt instruments or loan arrangements tied to the supplementary budget.

“We urge the Honourable Members of the House to remember they are trustees of public trust and not merely rubber stamps. Any fiscal action taken in secrecy undermines democratic integrity and fuels public distrust,” the statement added.

FENRAD calls on all relevant oversight bodies, including the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the Abia State Budget Office, to probe the circumstances surrounding the approval and ensure alignment with the principles of transparency and value-for-money.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to holding public officials accountable and promoting participatory governance across Nigeria.