By Muhammad Amaan
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s State2State activity has asked Local Government officials to ensure citizens engagement in the budget process for accountability, transparency and effectiveness at grassroots.
Citizens Engagement specialist, State2State, Mr Emmanuel Bwala, made the call at the end of a four-day training for Gombe LG Directors and Planning Officers on credible and policy-based budgeting in Yola, Adamawa state.
Mr Bwala said that citizens engagement in budget process would help government to know what the citizens wanted to be provided for them as projects.
“We have to put it at the back of our minds that what we are doing is for the citizens, who are the direct beneficiaries.
“We must work towards changing things for the better for the good of all. Let them identify some of the projects they want in their respective communities,” he said.
Mr Oluwatosin Oke, State2State Public Financial Management (PFM) specialist, Gombe field office, advised them to ensure adequate engagement of stakeholders to represent the interest of all.
“You should understand that you are the backbone of grassroots development of Gombe, if you engage them, you will have sense of fulfillment,” he said.
LG Manager State2State, Gombe field office, Zariyatu Abubakar Hashidu also tasked the participants to understand the guidelines in mainstreaming conflict sensitivity in the budget process, planning, implementation and monitoring.
“Understand the context in which you operate to avoid negative impacts and maximize positive impacts,” she said.
Chabiyada Eli, Gender and Social Inclusion Coordinator, advised the participants to always ensure gender balance in their budget and consider persons with disabilities.
She said these would enable all to get access to basic amenities.
“At the end, both citizens and government will be happy,” he said.
Alim Maisamari, Senior Budget Officer, Gombe, who said that budget was a key factor good governance, advised them to understand the basic component of budget, revenue, recurrent and capital expenditures.
Maisamari, who thanked USAID for the training, urged the participants to apply the knowledge acquired in line with best practices.
The participants were from priority area such as Education, Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) across 11 LGAs.
