November 17, (THEWILL) – The Benue state government is proposing to establish a Budget Intelligence Unit (BIU), to monitor quality of spending and gather information for effective price regulation.
It is also to intensify revenue administration towards comprehensive implementation of Treasury Single Account (TSA).
These were among other measures, adopted by the administration to mitigate perceived and unforseen challenges of the 2023 budget, as presented to the Benue state house of assembly by governor Samuel Ortom for consideration and passage.
In his budget speech, the governor assured that his administration will sustain payment of counterpart funds, strengthen collaboration with development partners to the development of the state, with stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels to address instability and volubility.
He said the government has undertaken payroll, using Nigeria inter bank settlement system to identify and correct payroll anomalies; noting that the completion of the state geographic information system and the take off of the state bureau of statistics will enhance planning, monitoring of data for the economic growth.
Governor Ortom added that the administration was promoting private sector-based agro industrial development to guarantee a favourable business environment and property registration, tax rebirth and security.
Meanwhile, Benue state government has approved Fridays, beginning from 11th November to 27th January, 2023, as work-free days.
Governor Ortom, who gave the approval in a statement, signed by the Permanent Secretary for the State Head of Service, explained that the decision was to enable civil servants to harvest their farm produce.
According to the statement, staff on essential duties including the judiciary and ministry of Justice are exempted from the work-free days duty.
It will be recalled that the government, in the month of June and July, 2023, approved Thursdays and Fridays as work-free days to enable civil servants engage in farming activities.
