By AKARAH BONIFACE

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has raised concern over Abia State’s ranking in the 2025 Subnational Audit Efficacy (SAE) Index, calling for urgent reforms to strengthen fiscal transparency and accountability.

In a statement issued Monday in Umuahia, the organisation said Abia ranked 36th among the 36 states of the federation, scoring 9 per cent in the report released by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative.

FENRAD stated, “Abia State’s position at the bottom of the 2025 Subnational Audit Efficacy Index is a clear indication of systemic weaknesses in fiscal governance and accountability.”

According to the report cited by the group, the state’s score falls significantly below the national average of 34.5 per cent and places it among states performing below average in fiscal transparency.

Highlighting regional comparisons, FENRAD said Abia trails other South-East states, noting that Anambra State scored 24 per cent, while Ebonyi State and Enugu State recorded 21 per cent each, and Imo State scored 18 per cent.

“It is even more concerning that Abia lags behind its South-East counterparts… This highlights a widening accountability gap that requires immediate and deliberate corrective actions,” the group said.

FENRAD identified weak financial autonomy for audit institutions, poor publication of audit reports, weak Public Accounts Committee oversight, and limited implementation of audit recommendations as key issues affecting the state’s performance.

The organisation added: “This is not merely a ranking—it is a reflection of the urgent need for institutional reforms, transparency in public financial management, and political will to implement audit recommendations.”

Calling for action, FENRAD urged the Abia State Government to “move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate concrete commitment to fiscal transparency and accountability.”

“Citizens deserve to know how public funds are managed, and governance must reflect openness, responsibility, and measurable performance,” it stated.

The group also warned that the situation could erode public trust, lead to inefficient use of resources, and expose the system to corruption and financial mismanagement.

FENRAD recommended measures including strengthening the autonomy of the Office of the Auditor-General, ensuring timely publication of audit reports, reinforcing legislative oversight, enforcing audit recommendations, and promoting citizen participation in governance.

It further called on the State House of Assembly, development partners, and civil society organisations to collaborate in reversing the trend.

FENRAD reiterated its commitment to supporting reforms aimed at improving accountability and ensuring effective management of public resources in the state.