Citizens from the North Central Zone, have given their input on their preferred method of participation in the budgetary process in Nigeria’s public sector.
Speaking at a 1-Day Session on Public Participatory Budget Mechanism for North Central Zone, which held On 21st July, 2022 at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, The Chairman, Public Participatory Budget Advisory Group, who also doubles as the National Coordinator, Dr. Gloria Ahmed Said the North Central and South East Zones were selected as pilot for the engagement.
In her opening remark, Dr. Ahmed said the Group was inaugurated to further push for fiscal openness, transparency in the Public Sector and the fight against corruption, which is President Muhammadu Buhari’s mantra.
She disclosed that the workshop was put together, through the approval of the Management of Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (National Planning Wing) to get citizen’s contribution on public participatory budget mechanism for North Central Zone.
“Kindly note that you were all invited in view of your Organization’s commitment in citizens’ engagement in the budgetary process, community development and fiscal openness and the Report from this meeting would be transmitted to Management of Budget and National Planning and the Budget Office of the Federation, including our Partners, Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT)/International Budget Partnership (IBP).” She stated.
In a brief moment, the Honorable Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba enjoined participants to make intelligent inputs as they go about their deliberations.
While addressing the challenges of budget implementation, the Honorable Minister decried the rate at which citizens put pressure on the wrong arm of the government for solutions. He therefore urged participants to consider what is most important and prioritize accordingly.
