by Danjuma Attah,Gombe
Gombe State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali has called on the people of the State to make more inputs into the planned 2025 State budget.
Baba Alkali, who spoke through Kabiru Lamido, an Assistant Director in the Ministry during the 2023 Citizens Accountability Report Presentation, also promised to consider citizens nominated budget.
Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and the Office of the Accountant General, in collaboration with the Association of NGOs (ANGO), organised the presentation of the 2023 Citizens Accountability Report in the three senatorial zones of the state.
However, speaking in Yamaltu-Deba LGA, venue for the Gombe Central Zone, he said the event was part of Government’s efforts in promoting transparency and inclusivity in governance.
In his remark, the Assistant Secretary of the Association of NGOs (ANGO), Yahaya Mohammed, who also anchored the programme, commended State2State for improving citizens’ engagement in budget process.
State2State also lauded the Gombe State Government for cooperating and allowing the citizens to give their inputs towards the budget, thus aptly making it a citizens’ budget.
The District Head of SARKIN Yaki of Kumo, Alhaji Usman Umar, appreciated the Gombe State Government, ANGO and State2State for bringing it’s citizens closer in the implementation of it’s project while the District Head of Zambuk, called for Government’s intervention over clashes between herders and farmers.
Speaking on behalf of women, Mairo Adamu, praised women’s inclusion and urged the Government to do more them. The representative of People with Disabilities (PWDs) from Akko LGA, Malam Bashir, lauded the Government’s efforts and requested for increased support towards their plight.
Participants during the report presentation include ANGO CBOs, FBOs, Community leaders, PWDs, Women group and Representatives of Ministry of Budget Planning who were presented with the income and budget expenditure of Gombe State.
