FRC Seeks Stronger Partnership with Finance Ministry as Acting Chairman Visits Permanent Secretary

Oru Leonard

The Acting Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Barrister Charles Chukwuemeka Abana, has called for stronger collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance to enhance the Commission’s operations and deepen fiscal discipline across government institutions.

Abana made the appeal on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Commission’s management team to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Raymond Omenka Omachi, at the min
istry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, the Acting Chairman described Omachi as a key figure in the history of the Commission, noting that he was among the pioneer staff of the FRC and served as its first Head of Accounts.

According to Abana, the decision to make the Permanent Secretary the Commission’s first official point of call since his assumption of office was informed by Omachi’s longstanding relationship with the agency and his institutional knowledge of its operations.
“There is virtually no story about the Commission that the Permanent Secretary does not know,” Abana said, while describing the Finance Ministry as a “big brother” and a critical stakeholder in the Commission’s activities.

He appreciated the support previously extended to the Commission, particularly during the tenure of former FRC Chairman, Victor Muruako, and appealed for continued cooperation.

The Acting Chairman also briefed the Permanent Secretary on the outcome of the Commission’s recently concluded management retreat, where a strategic work plan aimed at aligning its operations with international best practices was developed.

He disclosed that the Commission had concluded arrangements to organise a workshop on Fiscal Responsibility Index studies for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as part of efforts to strengthen compliance with fiscal regulations.

Abana further revealed that the Commission was intensifying efforts to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, noting that although the law contains several offences, many lack corresponding sanctions.

According to him, the Commission is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Justice to strengthen the Act and ensure more effective implementation, while discussions are also ongoing with the National Assembly on fiscal rules and the process of getting them gazetted.

The Acting Chairman also highlighted manpower shortages within the Commission, attributing the challenge to the migration of employees to other government agencies offering better remuneration packages.
He stressed the need for recruitment, training and retraining of staff to enable the Commission effectively discharge its mandate.

Abana equally raised concerns over inadequate office accommodation, describing the current arrangement as unhealthy, with deputy directors reportedly sharing offices with junior officers.

Responding, Omachi expressed confidence in Abana’s leadership, describing him as one of the Commission’s foundation members with the capacity to reposition the FRC for greater impact.

The Permanent Secretary commended the Commission’s contributions to fiscal discipline and accountability, stressing that the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 has played a significant role in promoting prudent management of national resources.

He acknowledged the poor office conditions under which FRC staff currently operate and advised the Commission to formally engage the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which he described as the agency’s supervisory authority, on the accommodation issue.

On the proposed amendment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Omachi assured the Commission of the ministry’s support, particularly during public hearings and stakeholder engagements.

He also pledged continued institutional support for the Commission, noting that its responsibilities require adequate funding and backing to achieve national fiscal objectives.

The Permanent Secretary further urged staff members to support the leadership of Barrister Charles Chukwuemeka Abana in advancing the Commission’s mandate.