Nasarawa government has taken steps to entrench transparency and accountability in its budgetting system through the adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) chart.

Mr Polinus Wahe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, stated this in Lafia on Tuesday, at the opening of a two-day training of 90 officials on IPSAS.

Wahe explained that the training, organised for directors of finance, accountants, cashiers and budget officers from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and tertiary institutions, was designed to improve budget performance reporting.

According to him, the training is geared towards elevating the standards of budget performance reporting in the state, in accordance with international benchmarks for transparency and accountability.

He explained that the adoption of IPSAS chart was to ensure that every financial decision was reflected in budget reports with utmost clarity and integrity.

“This training is designed to equip officers responsible for annual budget and budget performance report preparations across MDAs with the necessary skills to navigate the complex but rewarding schedule.

“The goal is not just to learn, but to transform our approach to budget implementation for an accurate, timely and transparent reporting system.

“This is crucial for informed decision-making needed to foster trust amongst stakeholders,” he said.

The Director of Budget in the ministry, Mr Peter Aklo, also said that the training would improve budget performance reports in the state.

Aklo said that the IPSAS chart makes for uniformity in the budget performance reporting process with specific coding for every expenditure item that could easily be interpreted globally.

“The chart also helps to ensure transparency which will address corruption, as every money spent must be accurately accounted for with the right code,” he said.

The Benue State Government has taken steps to address the incessant herders/farmers clashes and other challenges associated with livestock development.

Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe, Director-General (D-G), Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, said on Tuesday in Makurdi that Gov. Hyacinth Alia is determined to ensure peaceful coexistence of farmers and herders.

Asamabe said that in order to resolve the lingering clashes and entrench enduring peace, the bureau began engagement with stakeholders in the livestock sector to get firsthand insight into immediate and remote causes of the challenges.

The D-G, who met with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Benue State Chapter, said that the information so gathered would help in the formulation of policies and projects that address the fundamental issues undermining livestock development.

He commended the members for their candour and acknowledged the depth of the challenges facing the sector.

Asambe, however, urged them to collaborate with the authorities to identify and expose criminal elements that might hide under the association in the guise of herders to perpetrate crimes.

The D-G emphasised that the cooperation was critical for ensuring access to interventions such as vaccinations, veterinary services, and improved animal husbandry practices.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the current federal and state governments to resolving the issues, which he said led to the establishment of the bureau.

“The bureau will carry out a comprehensive data capture of stakeholders in the livestock sector and also conduct animal census and give each animal a tag to reduce criminality.

“It will facilitate the establishment of ranches, breeding centres, and abattoirs to enhance the livestock value chain, particularly for beef and meat production.

“Mobilise your members to participate in the planned initiatives while ensuring that criminal elements are excluded.

“This meeting is the beginning of a peace process in Benue, and I am optimistic about the future of livestock development and harmonious coexistence,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Ibrahim Galma, Secretary General, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Benue Chapter, commended the government for engaging them over the challenges.

Galma said that the conflicts have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of many residents.

The secretary said the association was facing several challenges, among which included the prevalence of livestock diseases.

“We are also facing issues of cattle rustling, leading to loss of animals and members to criminal activities.

“Because of the incessant attacks in the state and its resultant effects, there is no trust between herders and farmers.

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said it had identified some criminal black spots in Abuja and commenced daily raids of the locations.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said the daily raids of the identified hideouts were part of the efforts of the command to combat criminal activities and protect public and private infrastructure in the territory.

Adeh said the raids were meant to maintain law and order, prevent crimes, protect infrastructure and curtail drug abuse and trafficking in the FCT.

She said the black spots identified and raided were located at Apo-Dutse Panteka, Diplomatic Zone, and new PDP Secretariat area, Kabusa Panteka, Ajakaita in Tungan-Maje, Abuja-Kaduna Road, Jabi Panteka, Apo-Waru Panteka and Area 1 (Monkey Village).

Adeh said others are located at Durumi Village, Gwarimpa, Angwan Tivi, Mpape, Durumi III, Mabushi, Kubwa and Maitama, under the Transcorp Bridge.

According to her, the sustained effort has resulted in the arrest of 348 suspects, with 320 already being prosecuted in courts, and seizure of 10 trucks loaded with vandalised metals.

She said the operation had also led to the recovery of 26 manhole covers, 20 solar/streetlight poles and confiscation of large quantities of AEDC armoured cables.

Adeh said a substantial quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and other assorted hard drugs had also been seized, with 11 firearms recovered since the commencement of the daily raids.