Ortom reveals plan to establish budget intelligence unit 

Benue State Government is to establish a budget intelligence unit as a deliberate policy of the Governor Samuel Ortom-led administration to improve the quality and impact of its expenditure.

Govenor Samuel Ortom made this known on Thurday November 5th, 2020 at the Benue State House of Assembly while presenting the 2021 budget estimates to the lawmakers for consideration and passage.

Ortom noted that in addition to the establishment of the budget intelligence unit, the efficiency unit in the ministry of finance and economic empowered to monitor the quality of expenditure would also be strengthened for better performance.

According to him: “We are working to improve the quality and impact of our expenditure. To this end, we are establishing a budget intelligence unit and also strengthening the existing efficiency unit in the ministry of finance to monitor the quality of expenditure,” the Governor stated.

The Governor who acknowledged challenges of the 2021 fiscal year budget estimates said deliberate steps were being taken to mitigate their impact on delivery of the 2021 proposed budget.

He stated that budgetary provisions were made by his administration to support diligent work being done by the state COVID-19 Action Committee head by the state Deputy Governor, Engineer Benson Abounu.

He also noted that a state-wide payroll reform including the deployment of technology using the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, NIBSS is also being undertaken to enhance sanity in the system.

Governor Ortom stated that completion of the Benue State Geographical Information System, BENGIS, would enhance data for planning and monitoring as well as improve revenue administration.

According to the Governor, implementation of new laws passed by his administration would strengthen fiscal responsibility, public procurement and debt management among others.

Governor Ortom had earlier presented the 2021 budget estimate of N132.592 billion to the State Assembly for consideration and subsequent passage.