By Israel Mbam
To strengthen Citizens’ participation in budget process in Ebonyi State, a civil society organisation; Development and Integrity Intervention Goals, DIG Foundation, has held a technical workshop with the State Ministry of Budget, Planning and other relevant stakeholders to develop Citizens Engagement Strategy for for the State
Speaking at the workshop held recently at De-Rossi Hotels Abakaliki, the Executive Director of DIG Foundation, Chief Oliver Ajah Chima said budget process making has become significant because the direct beneficiaries of government budget and policies are the people, hence the need for the people to be carried along in it’s process. He noted that the essence of the strategy is to create an engagement that would benefit the citizens when the government is budgeting since they are the direct beneficiaries.
Chief Aja emphasised the importance of the citizens’ engagement strategy, stressing that Strategy document when completed would be adopted for use by the State Ministries and Departments for the citizens to be carried along in budget making processes.
Giving further information on the workshop, Chief Ajah explained that the technical workshop is part of series of activities to develop a workable citizens engagement strategy as part of the organisation’s commitment towards Consolidation, Institutionalisation and Sustainability of all reforms initiative, in line with the State Government policy of People’s Charter of Needs
On his part, the project consultant, Elder Dr. Ibiam Azu Agwu, observed that a robust citizens’ engagement template is necessary for citizens to effectively participate in the process since they are the direct beneficiaries of the budget.
Dr. Azu Ibiam adds that engaging the citizens in the budget process has become imperative across the country as it would enable them present written documents that would serve as base for government expenditure direction.
In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget, Planning, Research and Monitoring, Mrs. Rose Ugwuoma-Ibe commended DIG Foundation and described the workshop as a giant stride, adding that Ebonyi was the first among the 36 states of Nigeria to develop such a policy to guide its citizens on budget process.
“The document will speak to citizens and make them part of the government and show accountability to showcase that the government is not for one person.” She said.
Others who spoke including the state Auditor-General, Mrs Ekuma Agatha Nnena, Mrs. Williamson Mfon of the State Ministry of Finance and Dr Isioma Arunneya, permanent secretary, Establishment in the office of the head of service, joined DIG Foundation in calling for all hands to be on deck to advance citizens’ participation in budget making for accountability and inclusiveness.
The workshop which is part of series of activities to develop the strategy was organized in collaboration with Ebonyi State Ministry of Budget, Planning, Research and Monitoring with support from LEAP Africa under Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Project.
Participants at the technical workshop were drawn from relevant MDAs,CSOs, Media, Town Unions and other key stakeholders including Permanent Secretaries of the State Ministry of Budget, Planning, Research and Monitoring; Ministry of Finance and economic Development; Establishment Head of Service, relevant Directors, relevant MDA PRS officials, State Auditor Generals, both past and present, representative of the office of State Accountant General, Town union Presidents, members of Open Government Partnership, OGP steering committee, and the lead Consultant, Dr. Ibiam Azu who facilitated the sessions.
The organisers said the project shall be implemented through various activities such as zonal stakeholders input, media outreach, validation meetings and launching of the final copy of the citizens engagement strategy.
