A non-governmental organization under the agies of “Green the Red Cluster Project” has called on Ebonyi State Government to allocate more funds and ensure timely releases in service sectors of the State. The group in a press briefing held recently, said that Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state are performing below statutory budget provisions and expected benchmark.
Speaking through the Executive Director of DIG Foundation, Chief Oliver Aja Chima who Anchored the Cluster Organizations, disclosed that the 3rd quarter Ebonyi state social sectors capital budget performance fail short of global expectations.
Mr. Ajah however, commended Governor Francis Nwifuru’s efforts in improving the health sector but noted that it was done outside the budget provisions, hence could not be reflected in the ministry's budget performance report.
He emphasized that the state was yet to fulfill 2001 Abuja declaration of allocating 15% budget to health sector over the years.
“The Green-The-Red Cluster Project as its name connote, is advocating for increased budgetary releases for social sectors especially health and Education sectors in Ebonyi
state.
“Ebonyi state government is yet to fulfilled 2001 Abuja declaration of allocating 15% budget to health sector over the years, and never reached United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation of 26% budget for
Education sector.
“Again, Budget performances over the years is poor across social sectors, for instance in
2022, the Ministry of health achieved only 0.2% annual capital budget releases,
EBSPHCDA and others had 0% capital budget performances in 2022.
“As at September 2024 Ministry of Health has 5.6%, EBSHIA 8.8%, EBSPHCDA others
0%. This shows that, none of the health sector MDAs had a pass mark as each MDA are
supposed to achieve at least 75% by the third quarter and 100% by December 2024.
“We recognize and commend Government for all ongoing projects; however, such
spending should be traceable to budget before it can be counted as performance for
the state!
Disclosing the findings of the cluster, Ajah said,
“Present administration has prioritized Education and Health, coming 1st and 2nd, in her Citizen Charter of Needs Mantra. Thus, this need to be demonstrated through adequate fund releases for the sectors.
He however, called on media practitioners in the state to lend their support in achieving the Green-The-Red project Objectives.
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