Edo state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assented to the Edo State House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill, in a move aimed at strengthening accountability in the management of public funds.
Okpebholo signed the two bills into law on Monday at the Government House, Benin City, while receiving the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Idiaye.
The governor commended the lawmakers for the swift passage of the legislation, saying it would address concerns surrounding the management of funds allocated to the legislative and judicial arms of government.
He stressed the need for the three arms of government to operate within their constitutional responsibilities, noting that the executive is responsible for administration and implementation, the legislature for lawmaking and oversight, while the judiciary interprets laws and administers justice.
According to him, adherence to these constitutional roles is essential to preventing institutional overlap and ensuring effective governance.
The governor also expressed concern over the management of funds allocated for capital projects, describing such projects as a major avenue through which government delivers tangible development and improves citizens’ quality of life.
Earlier, Speaker Idiaye clarified that the new legislation did not remove the financial autonomy of either the House of Assembly or the judiciary.
He explained that recurrent expenditure, including workers’ salaries, would continue to be provided for the Assembly and judiciary, while the amendment specifically addressed the management of capital funds.
According to the Speaker, the capital component had been prone to abuse, necessitating a framework to promote greater accountability and ensure that funds were used for their intended purposes.
Under the arrangement, he said, the executive would manage the capital component through the appropriation process, while the Assembly and judiciary would submit proposals for capital projects to the executive for consideration and approval before accessing the funds.
Idiaye maintained that the arrangement did not compromise the financial autonomy of the two institutions.
“The autonomy is still in place, there is no fear on any side, and the unions should not have any fear,” he said.
He further assured that workers’ salaries would not be affected by the amendment, stressing that the legislation concerns capital funds and does not affect recurrent expenditure.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, said the governor’s assent underscored the administration’s commitment to strengthening financial accountability, promoting responsible governance and ensuring that public resources were deployed for their intended purposes.
The development, he said, marked another step in the administration’s efforts to improve public financial management and ensure that government expenditure translates into meaningful development for the people of Edo State.