FG Commences Training Of Officers For 2017 Budget

Speaking at the flag off in Kaduna on Monday, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma said the officers would be trained on Zero-Based-Budgeting (ZBB).

According to him, the goal is to enhance the capacity of the planning and budget officers to utilise innovative planning and budgeting concept in preparing the 2017 budget.

Udoma, who was represented by Director, Fiscal Policy Department, Mr Joshua Fadola, further stated that the training was designed to equip the officials with knowledge, tools and skills to ensure the 2017 budget is well implemented.

The minister noted that the exercise was being conducted simultaneously in seven cities across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

He said 1,830 participants from Abuja/North Central zone are being trained in Abuja, 384 officers from North East were in Gombe, 504 from North West in Kaduna; 408 in Lagos and 486 from South West in Ibadan.
Others are 330 from South-South holding their training in Uyo and 318 from South East in Enugu.

“As we prepare to fully implement the Federal Government ZBB, there is the need to equip planning and budget officers in our MDAs with the knowledge, skills and tools required for the ZBB using the 2017 budget preparation platform.

“The key areas of focus would be basic concept of public sector budgeting, overview of zero based budget and medium term expenditure,” he said

The minister said at the end of the training, the participants would have a good understanding of the application of ZBB in public sector budget.

He also expects the officers to be well equipped in handling the medium term expenditure framework, medium term fiscal and sector strategy. Also the link between policy, planning and budgeting.

“They will also understand the essence of improved strategic allocations such that the patterns of resource allocation in the budget align with government’s policy priorities for socio-economic development.

“They will equally understand the concept of budget realism, where resources are provided on a more predictable basis that will enable the budget managers’ plan and execute budget with confidence.

“This will enable the officers deliver services effectively and efficiently,’’ the minister said.

Also speaking, the Coordinator of the training in North West Zone, Malam Wakili Abdulkadir, said the effort would enable full implementation of ZBB in all MDAs in 2017, adding that zero-based budget was not fully implemented in 2016 due to late preparation and delayed passage.

“President Muhammadu Buhari, had however, directed the Budget Office to ensure 100 per cent compliance to ZBB in all MDAs in the 2017 budget.

“The training will therefore, enable the MDAs to key in and prepare the 2017 budget based on the ZBB platform,’’ Abdulkadir said.