Plateau Assembly Moves to Assess MDAs’ Budget Performance Ahead of 2027 Budget

The Plateau State House of Assembly has commenced an assessment of the budget performance of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to guide the preparation of a realistic and implementable budget for the 2027 fiscal year.

The exercise, being conducted by the House Standing Committee on Finance, is aimed at reviewing the performance of government agencies, identifying challenges affecting revenue generation and expenditure, and ensuring that budgetary allocations reflect the needs and priorities of the state.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Eli Ankala, said the assessment would provide the legislature with the necessary information to guide government decisions as it prepares the 2027 budget.

Ankala, however, expressed displeasure over the failure of some MDAs to appear before the committee, describing their absence without explanation as unacceptable.

He warned that the House would take drastic measures against any agency that disregarded its directives, stressing that all government institutions were expected to cooperate with the legislative process.

According to him, reviewing budget performance is part of the statutory responsibilities of the legislature, adding that failure to respond to the House’s directives amounts to a violation of the Constitution.

The committee chairman urged heads of MDAs to take their responsibilities seriously and demonstrate commitment to the development of Plateau State.

He said public office holders must be prepared to justify the positions they occupy, insisting that those unwilling to fulfil their duties should give way to individuals ready to contribute to the progress of the state.

The assessment attracted representatives of several MDAs and public institutions, including some state-owned tertiary institutions, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Jos Main Market Authority and the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), among others.

During the exercise, the Provost of Plateau State Polytechnic, Dr Clement Cirman, informed the committee that the institution had benefited from external interventions that had supported its capital development projects.

Cirman explained that such interventions had contributed to the institution’s development efforts, providing additional support beyond its regular funding sources.

He also identified delays in the release of admission lists by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as a factor affecting the institution’s revenue generation.

According to him, the delay had slowed the process of admitting and registering new students, with the attendant effect on internally generated revenue.

The provost, however, expressed optimism that the institution would improve its revenue performance once the registration of newly admitted students was completed.

Also appearing before the committee, officials of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development disclosed that some contractors had defaulted on payments owed to the ministry.

The ministry explained that the outstanding payments had affected its revenue generation, highlighting one of the challenges facing government agencies in meeting their financial targets.

The committee’s review is expected to provide a clearer picture of the performance of MDAs, particularly their compliance with budgetary provisions, revenue generation efforts and the challenges affecting project implementation.

The findings may also help the state government identify areas requiring improved funding, stronger financial oversight and better revenue collection as it prepares its spending plan for the coming year.

The exercise, which commenced on Monday, is scheduled to end on Friday, after which the committee will compile its findings and submit a report to the Plateau State Governor for consideration.