Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination has commenced its budget public consultation as part of the 2025 budget preparation across the three senatorial zones of the State.
In his welcome address at the commencement of the activity held in Misau on Tuesday 3rd September 2024, Bauchi State Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo thanked invited guests for honoring the Ministry’s invitation for the event.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Jibrin Mohammed Yusuf, the Commissioner described the public hearing as an important component of budget preparation that gives citizens ample opportunity to tell the Government what their priority needs are.
He said that the Bauchi State budget public hearing also provides an opportunity for the public to have a look at the current performance of the 2024 budget.
While highlighting the objectives of the budget public consultative activity, permanent secretary of the Ministry, Jibrin Mohammed Yusuf said that the activity is organised in order to get the inputs of people at the grassroots before the final preparation and consolidation of the 2025 Budget.
Yusuf also said that the Consultative hearing will allow for wider participation and all-inclusiveness of citizens at all levels.
He further reiterated that the activity will create a sense of ownership and sustainability to the programmes and projects that will be initiated in the 2025 proposed budget.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairmen from the Central Zone, the Executive Chairman of Misau Local Government Area, Alhaji Salisu Hussaini Hardawa thanked Bauchi State Government for its wisdom in organising the budget consultative engagement.
Hon. Salisu then implore the public that were drawn from the Six LGAs that made up the Zone to avail themselves the opportunity by contributing positively on behalf of their respective communities.
In a goodwill message, representative of USAID State2State, Habila Salem also urged the LG Chairmen and their people to leverage on utilizing the Community Charter of Demand (CCD) document to lists their priority needs inline with their people’s demands.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional institutions within the central zone, Madakin Bauchi and District Head of Ganjuwa, Dr. Baba Mohammed Gidado said that the traditional institutions from the central zone are requesting for improved educational structures, teaching aids, quality human resources and skills acquisition centres to cater for the educational needs of their people.
While presenting the budget performance of the fiscal year 2024, the Director of Budget of the ministry , Ibrahim Ahmed Rufa’i said that, all inputs generated from the public hearing will be collated with a view to incorporating some of them in the draft budget.
After presenting a summary of the 2024 Bauchi State Macro-Economic Framework, participants were given the opportunity to contribute, asked questions and clarification on some grey areas.
The Central Senatorial Zone 2025 budget public consultative meeting attracted participants from the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Traditional and Religious leaders, Local Government Chairmen, Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), People with Disabilities, Associations, Women and Sociocultural Groups.
The Central Senatorial Zone comprises Darazo, Dambam Ganjuwa, Misau, Ningi and Warji Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.
Our correspondent reports that the 2025 budget public consultation will continue in the Northern and Southern Senatorial Zone within the week.
