RismadarVoice Reporters
July 2, 2026
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, has reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline and participatory governance during a stakeholders’ consultation on the draft 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Akparawa James Edet, at the consultation held on Thursday at the ICT Centre, Office of the State Accountant General, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat Complex, Uyo, Umanah described the exercise as a practical demonstration of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, which promotes inclusive governance by involving citizens and critical stakeholders in government planning and budgeting.
He said the administration’s prudent fiscal management, transparency and accountability had earned Akwa Ibom both national and international recognition, including a US$6 million performance award from an international development agency for outstanding public financial management and governance reforms.
According to him, the award reflects the confidence of development partners in the state’s governance framework.
The Information Commissioner commended the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, led by Commissioner Dr Nsikan Nkan, for providing a platform for dialogue and consensus-building in the preparation of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.
He also reaffirmed the Ministry of Information’s commitment to communicating government policies and programmes strategically while promoting transparency, strengthening public trust and encouraging citizens’ participation in governance. He urged stakeholders to make objective and constructive contributions to enrich the final document.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Nsikan Nkan, said the consultation was convened to obtain stakeholders’ inputs into the preparation of the 2027–2029 MTEF/FSP, describing the framework as a critical three-year planning instrument that aligns available resources with development priorities while ensuring fiscal discipline and sustainable public expenditure.
He called for practical, evidence-based recommendations to guide macroeconomic assumptions, sectoral priorities and expenditure strategies that would promote sustainable economic growth, inclusive development and improved service delivery.
The Director-General of the Akwa Ibom State Fiscal Responsibility Board, Mr Victor Edet, presented the draft framework, highlighting its macroeconomic outlook, fiscal strategy, medium-term fiscal framework, fiscal risks, budget policy thrust and key recommendations.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Emem Bob, and Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Nsidibe Akata, commended Governor Eno for institutionalising participatory budgeting and sustaining the MTEF as the foundation for annual budget preparation. Hon. Akata assured stakeholders that the House Committee would give the document speedy legislative consideration upon its submission.
Stakeholders from the private sector, civil society and development organisations commended the Governor for maintaining a zero-loan administration and recommended stronger budget implementation monitoring, increased funding for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, greater investment in education, healthcare and digital skills, enhanced public access to procurement information, improved support for pension reforms, stronger private-sector partnerships and deeper collaboration with civil society organisations.
The State Director of Economic Planning, Mr Otobong Sambo, thanked participants for their contributions and assured them that their recommendations would be considered in the final framework.
