By Mariam Sanni
Federal Government through the Office of Accountant General of the Federation, OAGF has set operational process for the implementation of the extended 2024 and 2025 capital budget.
The pursuant of the extension of the year 2024 Capital Budget into year 2025, all outstanding financial commitments of MDAs in the 2024 budget were transferred into year 2025 with all corresponding unutilized budgeted amount.
The year 2025 budget having been signed into law on February 28,, 2025, the total amount of capital transferred from 2024 was automatically added to 2025 capital budget on the GIFMIS platform, thereby leading to an increase in the funding requirement for the year 2025 capital budget implementation.
The Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi during his address at the a one day stakeholders’ engagement on the implementation of the 2025 capital budget and related issues explained that all MDAs should prepare and submit to the OAGF extended 2024 budget implementation plan in line with government priority within two weeks.
He directed that they should Prepare and submit to the OAGF 2025 annual budget implementation plan separately prioritizing the projects.
The AGF said that Warrants/AIEs will be issued to guide MDA on its spending limit at every given time.
He added that without which, no MDA is allow to award new contractor process any capital payments in the GIFMIS platform.
“Copy of Warrants/AIEs shall be download and attached to procurement documents as evidence of fund availability before contract award.
“The roles of the Accounting Officers in the GIFMIS platform have been reviewed as requested to ease the numerous tasks. Alternative provisions have been provided for desiring accounting officers.
He discussed the federal government’s implementation of the cash management and bottom-up cash management policy as a basis for the execution of 2024 capital projects.
According to him, the policy aims to provide a set of rules and general guidance for the conduct of government business, focusing on effective service delivery, efficient cash management, and avoiding discretionary spending.
He emphasized the need for compliance with public procurement regulations and fiscal responsibility laws to prevent mismanagement and ensure proper award and execution of capital budgets.
He called on accounting officers to ensure compliance with the policy directive, including issuing Warrants of Appropriation ,WOA, before any financial obligations are incurred, and the Accountant General of the Federation is directed to develop new business processes to ensure proper fund allocation and disbursement.
