June 8 (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Government has defended its fiscal management record, insisting that all expenditures under Governor Umo Eno’s administration are guided by approved budgetary provisions and subject to legislative oversight, amid growing public scrutiny of the state’s finances.
Responding to criticisms of the state’s spending profile during a live radio programme monitored by THEWILL in Uyo, the Governor’s media aide, Reverend Richard Peters said claims of financial opacity and fiscal recklessness were not supported by official records or established budget performance indicators.
Peters maintained that government spending in Akwa Ibom operates within the framework of annual appropriations approved by the State House of Assembly, stressing that no expenditure can be lawfully undertaken outside the budget process without legislative approval.
He argued that suggestions that public funds were being spent arbitrarily ignored constitutional provisions governing public finance and the institutional mechanisms designed to ensure accountability and transparency in government operations.
According to him, the state’s fiscal performance remains strong, citing reports that placed Akwa Ibom’s 2025 budget implementation index above 80 percent, which he said reflected substantial compliance with approved spending plans and development targets.
The governor’s aide further stated that budget performance reports, revenue allocations, expenditure records and other fiscal documents are publicly available for scrutiny by citizens, journalists and independent analysts.
He questioned persistent allegations of financial mismanagement, arguing that critics had yet to present evidence from official government records to substantiate their claims.
Peters also pointed to regular sectoral briefings, media engagements and project updates by ministries, departments and agencies as evidence of the administration’s commitment to keeping residents informed about government programmes and expenditures.
He noted that the state’s recurrent obligations, including salaries, pensions, gratuities and overhead costs, as well as ongoing capital projects such as housing developments and extensive road construction, account for significant portions of monthly revenue inflows.
The media aide said public discourse on government finances should be guided by documented facts, published budgets, audited reports and measurable development outcomes rather than speculation, insisting that accountability is best served through evidence-based scrutiny of official records.
