Rep. Kalu emphasized the need for development partners like USAID to offer continuous support to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and government agencies.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia), has called on development partners like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to offer continuous support in the ongoing capacity building and conversations surrounding fiscal reforms.
Speaking at a workshop in Abuja designed for National Assembly members, Rep. Kalu emphasized the importance of sustained support to ensure the success of fiscal reforms and debt management in Nigeria.
In his address, Rep. Kalu highlighted the urgency of the current economic situation, urging the finance media and development partners to take the message that continuous dialogue and investment are imperative saying “No amount is too small until we get it right, and no amount of this conversation is too much until we get it right.”
Encouraging development partners to view it as a good investment, Rep. Kalu emphasized the need to support Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and government agencies within this space. He urged for ongoing capacity building and dialogue to navigate the challenges associated with fiscal reforms effectively.
He said: “My encouragement to you is that it’s a good investment to support all the Civil Society Organisations within this space, to support agencies of government within this space to go on with capacity building, to go on with this conversation until we get it right.”
The workshop, focusing on financial prudence, debt management, and fiscal reforms, is part of the Growth Initiatives for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT) implemented by OrderPaper. This initiative aims to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), 2007, addressing loopholes that have allowed for the misuse of public funds, opacity, and corruption to thrive.
Notable development partners involved in the workshop include USAID, a key funder of the GIFT Project through the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement Projects, as well as members of the GIFT cluster, such as the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), HipCity Innovation Centre, CLICE Foundation, and AdvoKC. The collaborative efforts underscore the commitment to driving reforms and transparency in Nigeria’s fiscal landscape.
