By Moses Gbande
The Commissioner, Ministry of Budget and and economic planning Mr. Sylvester Wallingko has called on participants at the and stakeholders in the budgeting process to strengthen partnership with government in the implementation and execution of projects.
The commissioner made this call during the town hall meeting on citizenship engagement in the budgeting process for North and Central zone held at Azi Nyako youth centre Jos.
He expressed joy with the turn up of participants at the interface, saying the rationale behind the Town Hall Meeting is to strengthen transparency, aocountabiltty and sustainability of Government Programmes as well as to gain Government confidence in implementation.
“It’$ also worthy of note that Plateau citizens have become focal point of Government’s Budgetary policy, hence the need for involvement of the citizens af this preparatory stage.
“As Citizens, you are expected to own the budget as you are part and parcel of the budget process through your valuable inputs.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is important today to inform all stakeholders that the 2022 budgeting process has commenced with the collection of proposals from Citizens of the state, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). This process is expected to end very soon for the Draft Budget document (6 transit to the legislature in good time. The projects and progianmes encapsulated in the proposal will be in line with the 3-Pilar Policy thrust of our amiable Governor RT. Hon. Barr. Simon B. Lalong, our Resens Foam Leader, which are: Peace, Security and Good Governance, Physical infrastrnectaral Development and Sustamable Economic Re-Birth.
“Your inputs at this meeting would be tailored towards supporting the above policies. All proposals should also be in tune with the State Developnient Strategy which aims at improving our Internal Generated Revenue (IGR).
“So far, the State Goverment would continue to work on the on-going projects inherited from the fast Administration where most of which have been completed while a few would soon be completed. In an effort to provide more infrastructure to citizens of the state, the 16 new roads awarded covering the 17 Local Government Areas of the state in 2020, are currently ongoing projects. which are still receiving funding. All these is being achieved despite the lean financial resources of the state.
“Today, the worid over, economy is faced with the global challenge off Corona Virus (COVID-19 PANDEMIC) the scorch of climate change. This is a must-win battle if mankind must continue to live. I therefore call on all of us to join, support and observe various Government’s guidelines/orders.
“For the sake of emphasis, I wish to reiterate that the Nations of the world have lost colossal and resources as a result of the change in climate to pandemic, Nigeria’s economy and that of Plateau State have been thoroughly affected by change in climate and the pandemic. We must put our heads together to think of ways to overcome the negative changes in climate and the dreaded disease —prayer is key.
I urge all to observe the Government directives and guidelines as follows: Regular washing of hands, Observing social distancing, wearing of face masks, Stop bush burning. indiscriminate cutting down of trees and improper disposal of refuse
Finally, 1 therefore call on all participants/stakeholders to freely contrit vards making this Town Hail meeting a success. You may also note that y e does not end with your inputs at this forum. However, your partnership + vernment in the implementation and execution of projects is continuous. N o that, the proposed Budget Document is expected to be in line with the ne i aspirations of your various communities. Therefore, you are to contrit aningfully and suggest ways possible on programmes or projects that ‘ et the yearnings of your local communities so that it would be include in posed 2022 Budget.
In conclusion, it is expected that the active participation of the citizen: Budgeting process would lead to early publication of the Budget docum: is timely commencement of implementation, increased Revenue general.
The climax of the occasion was the filling projects proposal forms by communities indicating in preference, the projects their communities are in dearth need.
Nasarawa Reporters 