Kwara State Govt To Sustain Active Participation Of Citizens In Budget Preparation

 

The Kwara State Government has again stressed the need to sustain its practice of involving the citizens in the annual budgeting to enable resources allocations that are based on the actual needs of the people, adding that the citizens’ roles would enhance a transparent, responsible and accountable utilisation of these resources; to promote efficiency and minimize wastage of resources.

The State Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Aliyu Kora Sabi, stated this yesterday at the interactive session with the people of Kwara South, held at the Offa Descendants’ Union (ODU) Hall, Offa, in continuation of the Statewide citizens’ engagement programme for the 2024 budget preparation.

Hon. Sabi said a budget that is reflective of people’s needs was a global best practice that encourages inclusive growth and engenders transparency and good governance.

The Commissioner noted that the present administration will leave no stone unturned to prevent wastages and ensure prudent handling of public funds, asking residents to be part of this process.

He thanked the participants from all the seven Local Government Areas of Kwara South Senatorial District for their large turn-out, while pledging that the State government will continue to make this administration, people-centric.

The State Director of Budget, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe, who took time to analyze the 2022 budget performance, said the State government recorded 72% success of realizing what was estimated in the budget, describing the year as unique in the recent history of the State and commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his exemplary leadership.

Speaking on behalf of the Olofa of Offa, HRH, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye, High Chief Bayo Akintola, expressed delight at the programme, saying that it gave the people a rare privilege to make known their demands ahead of the next budget and further guide the government to succeed.

He thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for choosing Offa as the hosting community, appreciating AbdulRazaq-led administration’s prioritization of the welfare needs of the citizens.

The Representative of Offa Descendants Union (ODU), Chief Ayotunde Raji, requested the government to create a standard sporting facility for Offa Local Government, that will further engage the youths gainfully and take their minds off social vices.

Other participants that spoke at the programme took turns to praise the government for the gesture and solicited for an improved representation of their interests as well as provision of more developmental projects in some parts of the Senatorial District.

Other dignitaries at the programme were the Kwara House of Assembly member representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, Hon. Segun Oguniyi; Technical Implementation Committee Chairmen for Local Governments in the South; all Commissioners around the axis; some Permanent Secretaries; the Olofa of Offa, HRH, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye, represented by High Chief Bayo Akintola; and other traditional rulers from South; representative of Offa Descendants Union (ODU), Chief Ayotunde Raji; Civil Society groups; and hundreds of participants from the Southern communities in the State.