The Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning said the State will host the State Peer Review Mechanism.
The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon.
Gogo Levi stated this on Monday, 9th July, 2012 at the Ministry of Justice during a Press Conference. He stated that 2 days programmes will be at Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt on Thursday and Friday this week and advised all to, attend.
Hon. Gogo Levi noted that the aim of the Peer Review is to allow citizens to participate in governance of the State and also contribute on the issue on how their money is been spent on various projects that is executed by the State Government. He also stated that the Peer Review will also allow various States in the country to compare themselves with one another and see the area where they have done and where they have not done well.
Hon. Gogo Levi mentioned that this Peer Review to be hosted by the State Government will bring out some best practices and that at the end of the exercise, there will be delivery of quality services by the various States to their citizenry and it is imperative that stakeholders and well-meaning Rivers people should come and participate in the exercise.
The Budget Commissioner said that Justice Muhammed Uwais will chair the event while there will be a sectorial section to be reviewed by the Technical Committee of the Governors’ Forum. He also stated that the exercise will attract some investments and improve on budget compliance in Rivers State “We are accountable to the people of Rivers State”, assuring that the accountability forum by Governor Chibuike Amaechi will continue.
During the interactive section, the Commissioner explained some of the delays in budget implementation, which is caused mostly by the delay of the passage of the budget.
The Budget and Economic Planning Commissioner said by August this year, the process of budget will commence while advising input from all section of the society. ###
Pius Dukor
