PLSG Engages Traditional Rulers, Legislators, Civil Societies In Budgeting Process.
By Moses Gbande
The Ministry of budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the State ministry of finance in Plateau state has commenced processes of supporting the state government towards attaining a perfect budgeting for the state in the year 2020.
To this End, a Special interface has been organized for Government and its Polity (a political society) and other stakholders in the State’s Budget preparation process .
Addressing stake holders from the Northern Senatorial zone of Plateau state at Azi Nyako Youths Center, Dadin Kowa, Jos, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of budget and economic planning, Mr. James Dalyop said the stakeholders meeting which is the third in the series was to strengthen transparency, accountability and sustainability of Government Programs.
“More than ever Plateau citizens have become the focal point of Government Budgetary Policy, hence the need to involve them at its preparation Stage.
“It is important for me to inform Stakeholders that the 2019 Budgeting ‘process has since commenced with the collation of Proposals from all Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and is expected to end very soon for the document to go to the Legislature in good time.
” The Projects and Programs encapsulated in the proposal reflect the 3-Pillar Policy Thrust of our charismatic, amiable and quintessential Governor, Rt. Hon. Ban. Simon B. Lalong’s Rescue Administration which are hitchon;
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. Peace, Security and Good Governance
2. Physical lnfrastruetural Development and 3. Sustainable Economic Re-birth.
“Your inputs at this meeting should be tailored towards supporting the above policies.
So far, the State Government has co’ntinued “work on the ongoing projects inherited from the last Administration which some have been-completed and others will soon be completed, Recently, in an eü‘ort to provide more infrastructure to the citizenry of the State, 16 new roads Were awarded covering the 17 Local Govémment Areas of the State. All these‚have been achieved despite the [can financial resources of the State.
“I therefore urge you all to contribute towards making this Town Hall meeting a success. You may also note that your role or responsibility does not end with your inputs at this forum however, your partnership with Government in the implementation and executiön of Projects is continuous.
“Note also that, the proposed Budget Document is expected to be inline with the needs and aspiration of your various Communities.
Therefore you are to contribute meamingfully and suggest where possible Programs or Projects that will meet the yearnings of your local communities so that it will be included in the proposed 2019 Budget and/or Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). ‘
“It is expected that the active participation of the citizens, in the Budgeting process would lead to early publication of more realistic Budget document, thus timely commencement of implementation, increased generation of Revenues and Financial Reporting.
Contributing, representatives of the traditional rulers commended the ministry of budget for initiating the forum as it avails them opportunity to add their voice to governance.
They observed that, most of the contributions raised during the 2018 stakeholders meeting on the decay of infratrctures in the state, which promised to do something about it to date
They expressed dismay that up to date government has not been able fix the burnt Jos Main Market, JIB, BARC Farm as promised by government.
They stressed the need for the state government to come out with a policy that will mandate every citizens to pay tax as ehen do, as well as return to the process where traditional rulers were entrusted with the mandate of collecting taxes at grass roots. through the use of (Jangari)
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