Abia incorporates citizens’ engagement in budgeting
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State government has introduced citizens’ engagement into its budgeting process to ensure that the needs of the people were reflected in the state’s budgets.
To this end, Abia State Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and UNICEF, organized a forum at the Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Centre, Umuahia, through which they engaged citizens in discussions on the 2025 budget planning.
The event tagged the “2025 Citizens Budget Engagement Forum,” was to sensitize Abians on how they could play a crucial role in shaping the future of the state’s financial planning and ensure that the needs and aspirations of citizens were reflected in the final budget.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Kingsley Anosike, while addressing participants drawn from a wide spectrum of the society, emphasized the importance of public participation in the upcoming 2025 budget christened “Budget of Sustained Momentum.”
Mr. Anosike noted that the interaction would provide citizens with an opportunity to understand and contribute to the budgetary process.
He said the primary objective of the engagement was “to discuss the state’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and gather feedback on the expectations of the various groups concerning development projects slated for inclusion in the 2025 budget.”
The Commissioner explained that the 2025 budget would be designed to sustain the momentum of development that has characterized the present administration’s activities over the past 14 months.
“Basically this government works for the citizens’ interest and the budget is designed for the interest and betterment of the citizens.
“We expect that the citizens will benefit more from the 2025 budget and that is why it has been christened Budget of Sustained Momentum.
“We have ramped up activities in terms of developmental projects over time in the last 14 month. The budget for next year is supposed to sustain that momentum and close out even stronger,” he added.
The Commissioner outlined proposals for recurrent expenditure and reiterated the state government’s commitment to capacity building in the Education and Health sectors.
He highlighted the state government’s efforts to enhancing the living standards of the people and urged citizens to support the government’s efforts by ensuring timely payment of their taxes.
Anosike told the gathering that under the leadership of the Governor Alex Otti, prudent has been incorporated in the state’s financial management, noting that the government has so far managed to undertake various projects without resorting to borrowing.
He disclosed that the state has adopted technology-driven measures to enhance revenue collection, including introduction of Single Treasury Account which, he said, has effectively curbed revenue leakages.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Lady Mercy Jimonu, announced that the 2025 core circulars have already been distributed to the MDAs, adding that the meeting would enhance their contributions to the 2025 budget.
Lady Jimonu said that the forum aligns with the governor’s vision for a new Abia and stressed the need for all Citizens to contribute to the growth of the state.
Stakeholders from various sectors, including representatives from different local governments areas, the civil society organizations, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Open Government Partners, religious leaders, farmers and persons living with disabilities, were among participants at the event.
