The European Union Support to Reforming Institutions Programme (SRIP) has distributed information technology and office equipment worth 3.7 million euros (about N814million) to six states of the federation in its renewed commitment to effect reforms in the nation’s public sector finances.

The equipment made up of computer hardware, specialised IT software, networking (LAN) accessories, office equipment, and generators were given to the states of Anambra, Yobe, Kano, Jigawa, Cross River and Osun.

The deputy programme director of SRIP, Dr Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, who confirmed this, explained that the donation will be of great benefit to the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the six states in the management of public finance. She added that, unlike in the past and with other projects where equipment are supplied without the requisite training, provision has also been made for IT-related training in the states.

Apart from this, she explained, the project which is funded under the European Development Fund and administered through the National Planning Commission, had trained over 500 civil servants and civil society staff at various levels across its six focal states on improved budgeting processes.

In addition, it has launched a grant scheme of over N100 million for civil society organisations and carried out monitoring and evaluation of government’s performances in the six states. According to her, the activities of SRIP, which is an EU-funded project, are aimed at assisting states committed to change through supporting reforms that will bring about efficient and transparent budget management through the correction of lapses in public finance management in the country.

The logic behind this, she explained, is that through reforming the process of budgeting, service delivery will be improved and a climate more conducive for business investment created.