The Gombe State Government has held a one-day citizens consultative meeting, which aims to garner citizens’ input for the 2024 budget preparation.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said the event was aimed at fostering citizens’ participation in the formulation and implementation of state budgets, as well as operating a transparent and inclusive governance.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, said since the introduction of the engagement at the inception of his administration in 2019, significant successes had been recorded through the engagement of citizens in budgetary processes.
Governor Yahaya emphasized citizens’ role had been in refining budgetary initiatives while acknowledging the invaluable feedback received, which had enabled the government to rectify errors and enhance service delivery for improved governance.
“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,” Governor Yahaya said.
He also lauded the painful, yet rewarding effort to institutionalize Public Financial Management, which earned Gombe State commendation at both national and international levels.
While reflecting on the impact of citizen-driven budget inputs, Governor Yahaya expressed his gratitude for the citizens’ inputs, which he said had been enriching the budgeting process and bolstering the administration’s commitment to implementing annual budgets.
He emphasized the government’s continued focus on health, education, water supply, housing, infrastructure, and rural development sectors, which are consistently prioritized through citizens’ feedback.
The Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, hailed the administration’s participatory budgeting approach.
The Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, commended the Governor’s commitment to grassroots-oriented policies while giving assurances that the citizens’ inputs would be considered in the budgetary processes.
He, therefore, said the consultative meeting underlined the Gombe State Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizens’ inclusion in shaping policies and programmes that reflect the aspirations and needs of the populace.
Mr. Alkali said citizens’ input does not end in the one-day citizens’ engagement, but that the office was ever open to receive their input.
“I feel that one day is enough, however, that does not stop the citizens and the stakeholders from writing to us and even coming to our office and giving us suggestions. We are in the process of preparing the budget, so this one day is for us to listen to those that are available. However, even after this one day, anybody that has any information or anything to give us, to advise us, we are ready. It doesn’t stop only today. We are ready to receive and accept whatever suggestions or comments anyone has,” Mr. Alkali said.
The Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Network in Gombe State, Ibrahim Yusuf, said the citizens’ engagement had become an important aspect of governance in the state because it was an avenue for the government to listen to the citizens’ demands and allow them makes inputs into the budget.
“The 2023 Budget captured almost 46% aspirations of the citizens across the state, even though it is 100% implemented, but at the same time we know, it is not an excuse, but we know some of the reasons, which were as a result of the electioneering activities that hindered and also tampered with most of the government activities,” said Mr. Yusuf.
He is now hopeful that the 2024 Budget will reflect the citizens’ demands that will be captured, at least 70 to 80% or even 100%.
