In their resolve to turn around the fortune of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission in tandem with the establishing law to achieve it set objectives.
The Chairman Hon. Umar Iya Daware and the Commission members, Engr. Michael Medugu, Hon. Barr. Lilian Stephen Nabe and Hon. Hassan Kaigama have embarked on a familiarization tour to critical stakeholders and partners who are strategic in the bid to achieving the Commission’s mandate.
This became necessary after their assumption of office deliberation and outcome of their meeting.
Their first point of call on the 24th July, 2024 was the office of the Hon. Commissioner for finance Mrs. Augustina Wandamihya, at the State Secretariat Complex.
Speaking at the courtesy call, the Executive Chairman Hon. Umar Iya Daware said they were in the office of on a familiarization tour to introduce themselves and seek collaboration from the ministry as one of its critical partners.
He said the Governor have initiated a lot of reforms which is centered around financial discipline, accountability and transparency and as strategic partners they seek the collaboration of the ministry to key into the leadership mantra of the Governor Fintiri’s administration.
The Chairman said, fiscal discipline is a key indices in measuring success and attracting donor partners trust.
He stated that the members of the Commission are well experienced professionals who are poised to make a difference. The Chairman however, stressed the need for information sharing so that the Commission will achieve its set objectives, stating that information is critical for the Commission to perform its responsibilities to the fullest.
Hon. Umar Iya Daware thanked the Commissioner for the audience and quick response to their request despite the short notice.
In her response, the Hon. Commissioner Mrs. Augustina Wandamihya thanked the Chairman and his team for the visit, stressing that the Fiscal Responsibility Commission is a critical partner and promise to collaborate with the Commission to achieve the set objectives.
She said, transparency, accountability and financial prudence is the watch word of the ministry that the ministry is always there to give the Governor the necessary advice on financial management.
Mrs. Augustina said, the Governor Fintiri administration have been able to achieve so much in terms of development in the State due to his resolve in financial discipline and proper management of resources at his disposal.
She said the Fiscal Responsibility Commission will be given the necessary support to be up and to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
At the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Gyatam Bassi and the management staff of the Ministry.
Commission’s Executive Chairman and his team were also at the Accountant General of the State office where they were received by the Accountant General Mr. Kefas James Tagwi.
Speaking at the AG’s office the Chairman Hon. Umar IyaDaware said they were at the AG’s office on a familiarization tour to seek the support of critical partners, therefore the need to rob minds on the way forward.
He said the Commission and the AG’s office are all partners and one family that need each other’s support to help the Governor Fintiri fresh hope agenda succeed.
Hon. Daware stated that the team just came on board and is poise to key into the administration accountability and transparency trust therefore needed the collaboration of strategic partners which the AG’s office is one, he said the Commission is fully mindful of the reforms so far initiated by His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Fintiri government which have led to the success so far recorded.
Daware said, the Commission will from time to time seek the AG’s office collaboration in area of information sharing with the assurance that the Commission will not in any way undermine the information shared, stating that information is critical in the set mandate of the Commission as it will help the Commission achieve its set objectives.
The Chairman said, members of the board are all season professionals with track record of service and are poise to render more service to the State.
In his response the Accountant General Mr. KefasTagwi said, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission is a critical partner that needs all necessary support and therefore promise the Commission it support as at when due. He said his office have so far followed due process in its dealings in line with the accountability mantra of this administration.
The A.G said this government has achieved so much in key sectors due to prudent financial management of His Excellency and therefore promised the commission its support where necessary for the commission to meet its mandate.
He thanked commission members for the visit describing them as partners in progress, wishing them a successful tenure.
While at the Ministry of Land and Survey, the Commission members were received by the Hon. Commissioner Hon. Joab H. Sahma.
Speaking at the courtesy call, the Executive Chairman Hon. Umar Iya Daware took time to read out some of the responsibilities of the Commission amongst which is oversight to ministries and boards to be sure of compliance to financial management, budget implementation etc.
He said the ministry will be seeing them from time to time which is in line with their duty, he stated that they decided to come on a familiarization so that they see on one on one basis and to acquaint themselves.
The Chairman further hammer on the need for information sharing stressing that anytime information is needed it is in line of duty.
He said all information collected will never be undermined as information is a critical tool needed by the Commission in performing its role and also an indices to measure achievement. Hon. Daware said this administration have achieved a lot due to the prudent nature of the Governor, stating that all hands must be on deck to key into the accountability and transparency mantra of the administration.
He said the Commission is not after anyone and both parties are partners in progress for the benefit of the state, stating that the members are seasoned professionals with track record of service and are prepared to leave a legacy in helping His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to succeed.
Responding, the Hon. Commissioner Chief Joab H. Sahma said he is delighted to have the Fiscal responsibility Commission team in his office, acknowledging the critical role of the Commission.
He stated that the commission’s role is enormous as they serve as a guide and are needed at this time when the leadership in the state is a believer of due process and financial prudence.
Chief Sahma said he is also a believer of this Governor’s stand on transparency and accountability having the Commission is a relieve as he will have the team to call him to order when he derail, that he is always at the disposal of the Commission and will provide all the necessary information as will be required by the Commission.
Hon. Sahma stated that this administration have made great impact due to His Excellency prudent management of finances therefore all meaning indigenes in the state must give the administration maximum support to succeed as that is the only way to pay the Governor for his magnanimity.
Continuation of its familiarization tour, the Fiscal Responsibility commission team on 25th July, 2024 was at the Debt Management Agency.
Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Chairman Hon. Umar Iya Daware said they were at the DMA on a familiarization tour of sister organizations, who are critical and strategic partners.
He expressed the team desire to seek collaboration so as to work in synergy with strategic partners in the Adamawa Project, stressing that the Governor have initiated reforms that is centered around financial prudence there by setting precedence for organizations in the state to key into.
Hon. Daware said, the role of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission is that of oversight to ensure adherence to lay down procedures in financial management in budget implementation. He said, Adamawa state has been on the national map as the leading state with financial prudence as all its activities are online for the world to see. He therefore said the Commission seeks cooperation of DMA in the area of information and data sharing describing information as critical to the workings of the Commission, promising not to undermine information provided.
Responding, the Director General Debt Management Agency, Usman Modibbo Saleh said, the fiscal Responsibility Commission is a very important sister agency with critical role.
He said the Debt Management Agency is ready at all times to give support for proper synergy for the success of the Commission, that his doors are always open and will give necessary information and data when needed.
Usman said both organizations are partners in progress and not competitors, therefore all hands must be on deck to give the Governor all the necessary support to take the state to greater height.
Meanwhile at the office of the state Auditor General Usman Ahmed, the Executive Chairman Fiscal Responsibility Commission Hon. Umar Iya Daware said, the team was in the office to get to know each other as Audit office is a critical and relevant partner. He described the role of the Commission as that of oversight to instill fiscal discipline in line with provision of the law.
Umar stated that the Commission seeks the collaboration and cooperation of the Audit Office with regards to information and data sharing for prudent management of resources enhance and sustain fiscal discipline.
He said the Governor have initiated reforms which have yielded positive results as manifest in the laudable projects spread across the state, that he hope the Commission and Audit will work as a team rather than competitors for the benefit of the state.
He stated that the state has been ranked as one of the leading state in financial prudence and transparency as all its projects and activities are displayed on the internet for the world to see.
In his response, the Auditor General Usman Ahmed said the Fiscal Responsibility Commission is a critical partner. He said his office will give the Commission all the necessary support to ease its work to promote transparency and accountability that the Commission should be rest assured of its readiness to support it with all necessary information and data when needed at the appropriate time to enable it meet its mandate.
He stated that the Audit Office is looking forward to working with the Commission for a better Adamawa State as the Governor have already set the precedence for all to follow suit with his stance to accountability, transparency and prudent financial management.
Also, speaking at the Ministry for transportation the Executive Chairman stated that the team finds it appropriate to visit revenue generating partners, so their visit is of utmost importance.
Hon. Umar said the role of the Commission is that of oversight to ensure that ministries and parastatals operate within budgetary provisions and ensure financial discipline.
He stated that this government have initiated a lot of reforms centered around transparency and accountability and these reforms have paid off as the state have witness rapid development in all sectors due to the stance of His Excellency on prudent and accountable management of its financial resources.
He therefore, buttress the need for collaboration and synergy with the ministry in sharing necessary information and data, stating that information and data is a necessary tool for the work of the Commission as it serve as indices to measure improvement.
The Executive Chairman said, the Commission is out on the familiarization tour so as to carry everybody on board and seek the necessary synergy in the implementation of the reforms initiated by His Excellency, sustain the reforms and take it to the next level.
Responding, the Commissioner for Transportation Mrs. Wunfe B. Anthony said the ministry is delighted to have the delegation in her office, describing the visit as necessary and at the right time.
She said the role of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission is enormous and critical to the achievement of set goals as the Commission serves as a guide to some excesses, and that the ministry is ever ready to work with the Commission.
Wunfe, promised that the ministry’s door are open and are ready to provide the necessary information as at when needed, she called on the Commission to be steadfast and also call their attention when they derail.
The Commissioner said the ministry will collaborate with the Commission to see that all the reforms initiated by His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Fintiri come to fruition for the benefit of the people of the state.
Speaking at the Ministry for Local Government Affairs the Executive Chairman Hon. Umar Iya Daware said, the ministry for Local Government being one of the critical partners, it was pertinent for the Commission to call to seek collaboration.
He said the responsibility of the Commission as enshrined also cover the 3rd tier which is the Local Government, that the Commission will see that the Local Government operate within the law that enshrine the culture of financial discipline prudent management and fiscal responsibility.
Umar said, the Gov. Fintiri led administration have initiated far reaching reforms which is centered around financial discipline as is manifest in stride so far being witness in the state which is visible and can be touched, therefore the Commission is poised to take the message of prudence and fiscal discipline to the leaders of the 3rd tier of government, the local government Councils to be abreast of the financial management.
He stressed the need for collaboration and synergy in the area of information sharing, stating that no information will be undermined, describing information as necessary in discharge of the Commission’s duty.
He said, it is of utmost importance that the Commission and the ministry work in tandem as one body and together we can make it happen.
Responding the Hon. Commissioner Ibrahim Mijinyawa (Yayaji) said he is happy to have the Commission members visit him most especially now that the state is moving in the right direction, with Governor AhmaduFintiri at the helm of affairs.
He said, his expectations are high in the caliber of the team members and their capacity to turn around things for the better, that the ministry and the commission are a team and there is no misconception about that.
Ibrahim stated that the commission responsibilities is very large, enormous and very important, that with the Commission members on board, they can expose some of the identified short comings, stressing that people must take responsibility for their actions.
He said the local Government Chairmen must understand that their people are watching them and expecting replication of what the Governor is doing at the grass root, therefore appeal to the Commission to empower the Local Government Chairmen with the knowledge of fiscal and financial discipline to manage resources at their disposal.
The Commissioner promise to support the Fiscal Responsibility Commission with all the necessary information as will be required from time to time; that they will collaborate with the Commission for the success of Governor Fintiri led administration and Adamawa State in general.
The Fiscal responsibility Commission’s team was also at the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Afraimu K. Jingi. The Executive Chairman Hon. Umar Iya Daware said they were at the Justice Ministry to introduce themselves and to seek collaboration of the ministry in the area of interpretation of guiding laws.
He said, the Commission relay on the law in the discharge of its duty and where there are infractions the Commission will seek the advice of the ministry to clear any doubts.
Stating that the Governor has initiated far reaching reforms centered on financial management which have given Adamawa State a new lease of life and face lift in all sectors.
He said, as a Commission they are poised to instill financial discipline and transparent management of resources to complement the success already achieved by the Gov. Fintiri led administration.
Stressing that, the Commission will align with the office of the Attorney General for guidance so that they operate within the confine of the established laws.
Responding, the Attorney General, Barr. Afraimu K. Jingi congratulates the Commission members on their appointment, he said the Commission role is very large and as a Commission that evaluate he urge them to be diligent in the discharge of their duty.
The Attorney General also stressed the need for the Commission to collaborate and work in harmony with the Planning Commission stating that their role are interwoven.
He however said the Government is one and the watch word is for the government to succeed, stating that as one Government all must work with the Governor to give the people of Adamawa, the dividends of democracy.
Barr. Jingi said the Governor have set the pace and all hands must be on deck to see that all succeed that when the Governor fails all have failed and when he succeeds all have succeed, that his doors are always open and will render the necessary advice when needed.
The Commission members were also at the State Planning Commission, speaking at the visit the Executive Chairman Fiscal Responsibility Commission Hon. Umar Iya Daware said they were at the Planning Commission on a familiarization tour to critical partners having identified their roles.
He said they were at the Commission to seek collaboration and synergy between the two Commissions, stating that the Planning Commission is strategic thereby the need for collaboration for the overall interest of the state.
Umar stated that the roles of Fiscal Responsibility Commission are of oversight on the preparation and implementation of budget to achieve financial prudence, accountability and resources management for economic and social development in the state.
The Chairman said the Commission is not a competitor with the Planning Commission but partners in progress, stressing that both Commissions need to complement each other’s efforts, pointing out the need for information and data sharing as information and data are critical to measure level of achievement.
He said Governor Ahmadu Fintiri have initiated far reaching reforms centered around prudence and accountability thereby creating the environment for development as is manifest in the state, that Commission is poise to align with the Governor’s vision for the state.
Responding the Executive Chairman State Planning Commission Dr. Mary Paninga said she is delighted to have the team in her office describing the meeting as a precious moment for her especially seeing the caliber of the people in the team.
She said the duties of the Planning Commission and that of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission are interwoven and therefore asked that both Commissions work side by side by understanding the expectation and deliver.
Dr. Paninga said it is the duty of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission to instill financial discipline and prudent management of resources at the ministries especially budget implementation.
She said Governor Fintiri led Government have achieved a lot due to his believe in financial prudence and this is manifest in the laudable projects spread across the state and all meaning indigenes must appreciate what this Government have done.
The Chairman therefore pledge continuous support to the Fiscal Responsibility Commission in area of information sharing for the Commission to succeed.
