…Organizes Citizens’ Engagement on Preparation for the state’s 2024 budget
From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The Gombe state governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has promised to prioritize health, education, water supply, housing, infrastructure, and rural development in the state’s 2024 budget that is being prepared.
According to the Governor, one of the objectives and focus of his administration in Gombe has always been geared towards improving the well-being of its citizens. Governor Yahaya stated this while speaking at the citizens’ engagement meeting on the preparation of the 2024 budget.
The governor who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Prof. Abubakar Njodi at the event emphasized that the government’s continued focus on health and other sectors is based on feedback from the citizens’ engagement. The governor restated his commitment to fostering citizens’ participation in the formulation and implementation of state budgets. He explained that the meeting is part of the effort to ensure that the people’s needs are accurately reflected and prioritized in the budget.
The Governor pointed out the strides achieved through the engagement of citizens in budgetary processes since the inception of his administration in 2019. He restated his administration’s commitment to transparent and inclusive governance, emphasizing the citizens’ role in refining budgetary initiatives. The Governor acknowledged that the feedback received in previous years had enabled the government to rectify errors and enhance service delivery for improved governance in the state.
“Our commitment to engaging with the people of Gombe State is unwavering. We continue to incorporate diverse viewpoints from various segments of society, ensuring transparency and accountability in our actions. Through these engagements, we have delivered on our promises and aim to do even better with continued support,” the Governor said.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, commended the Governor’s commitment to grassroots-oriented policies, assuring the citizens of the state’s consideration of their inputs for the budgetary processes.
He said the consultative meeting underlines the Gombe State Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizens’ inclusion in shaping policies and programs that reflect the aspirations and needs of the populace.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, hailed the administration’s participatory budgeting approach. Also Speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation Chairman, Hon. Ali Baba Manu, praised Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s prudent financial management, acknowledging the positive socioeconomic impact of citizen-influenced budget initiatives.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Jalo Ali, highlighted the government’s steadfast commitment to institutionalizing citizens’ participation in budget formulation, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance.