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Ebonyi state has been ranked among the top three states in Nigeria by BudgIT in terms of fiscal discipline in its 2023 state of states report which was published on Saturday.
The Eastern Updates reports that BudgIT is a prominent civic-tech organisation dedicated to promoting fiscal transparency and accountability in Nigeria.
BudgIT, through its annual analysis, assesses and ranks the fiscal performance of all 36 states from the most to the least sustainable.
It released the 2023 edition of its annual States of States report themed Subnational Healthcare Delivery for Improved Economic Development during the week
In the report, Ebonyi topped the chart by coming 2nd on both INDEXES C and D, and overall 3rd position out of the 36 States of the Federation.
The commissioner for Information, Jude Chikadibia Okpor, while reacting to the report described it as mind-blowing and called for celebration considering where the state was classified in previous years.
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He said: ‘For the records and clarity, Ebonyi State’s decent performance across the various categories which propelled it to the overall best three needs to be highlighted to rest a possible debate that could emanate to challenge the reputable report.
‘For instance, on States Performance INDEX B, – States on this index have comparatively more public revenue left to implement the capital expenditure component of their budget after fulfilling repayment obligations to lenders – Ebonyi ranked 2nd out of 36 States of the federation.
‘On State’s Performance on INDEX D, which are for states that give priority to investing in capital expenditure compared to their operating expenses – Ebonyi again, took 2nd position out of the 36 States.’
It was gathered that States that ranked low in the index have a financial strategy that prioritizes investment in their operating expenses over capital expenditure in the state.
The commissioner explained that such states are not sufficiently investing in improving the human capital development profile of the state.
He however noted that the government of Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru distinguished itself by taking the lead in this area.
