Nasarawa State Government has begun zonal town hall consultation to get inputs on citizens  needs ahead of the 2025 budget.

Hajiya Munira Abdullahi, Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning, while  declaring the engagement open on Wednesday in Keffi Local government(LGA), said citizens’ inputs would greatly enhance the overall objectives of the government.

“Citizens’ budgeting is a democratic process that empowers citizens to decide how resource is allocated in the budget and other government plans.

“This thematic approach enables people to identify, discuss, and prioritise public spending on projects, and make decisions about how government resources are utilised,” she said.

According to the commissioner, the town hall is organised to ensure that the 2025 budget reflects the inputs and contributions from the citizens of the state.

Abdullahi described the 2024 consultation theme: “Citizens’ Engagement: A Veritable Mean for Transformational Commitment” as a mark of improvement in participation and organisation compared to previous engagements.

She said that the town hall on Citizens’ Budget was in line with the disbursement link indicator II of the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) protocol.

Abdullahi said that the SFTAS protocol emphasised increased openness and citizens’ engagement in the budget process.

She added that the town hall engagement was a testament to the unwavering dedication of  Gov. Abdullahi Sule to elevate Nasarawa State to a new height of excellence and progress.

“This initiative forms our commitment to connect our people with the current socio-economic and political realities in Nigeria and around the globe.

“We are here in Keffi to ensure that the voices of Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone –  Keffi, Karu, Kokona, Nasarawa, and Toto LGAs are heard, and contribute to government policies and programmes,” she said.

Also speaking, Tanko Maiyaki, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Budget, said the citizens’ budget engagement would bring about improvement in the budget preparation, presentation, and implementation.

Some participants who spoke at the event –  Idris Sani, representative of persons with disability, and Abubakar Salisu, representing the youth, urged the government to improve on infrastructural development in Nasarawa West, especially Karu LGA.

They decried inadequate public facilities like schools and hospitals in Karu Local Government and that the existing one were overstretched.

They also urged the government to construct access roads and skills acquisition for persons with disability in the zone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the citizens’ budget town hall had in attendance representatives of various interest groups – Civil Society Organisation, faith-based organisations, farmer groups amongst others. (NAN)