Budget engagement and inclusiveness have been identified as one of the catalysts to the development of a nation.
The state partnership facilitator, Partnership to Engage Reform and learn PERL (ECP), Alhaji Yunusa Hamza made the assertion during an engagement with women groups and people living with disabilities (PWDs), on citizens input budget, held in Kano.
According to him, the engagement had brought together women groups, and PWDs from diverse constituencies, so that their demands would be incorporated into the 2023 proposed budget.
The state partnership facilitator highlighted that, the inputs captured would be forwarded to Kano state House of Assembly for inclusion, as well as subsequent follow ups to meet the yearnings and aspirations of PWDs and vulnerable groups in 2023 fiscal year.
“It is an engagement that has been happening over the years that will strengthen citizens participation for good governance “.
In his remarks, a lecturer with the department of economics Sa’adatu Rimi college of education Kano, who doubles as executive director (FIDAC), Dr. Abdulsalam Kani, noted that coalition of citizens input is a civic responsibility as enshrined by section 8 of the constitution.
He attributed poor budget implementation, and performance to lack of inclusiveness, saying that the engagement would ensure that all the five emirate councils of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya have collated citizens needs and aspirations, as part of the 2023 fiscal year proposal.
” Sec. 10 sub sec. 3 of Kano state public financial management law mandates Kano state ministry for planning and budget to ensure collation of citizens input into the budget process”.
On inclusiveness of people with special needs, zonal coordinator national association of people living with physical disabilities, Comrade Bilkisu Ado Zango pointed out that PWDs six clusters have been engaged about their demands for the 2023 budget.
She however noted that, the template mapped out thematic areas such as health, education, agriculture, commerce, environment and infrastructural development.
In her presentation on areas that needed urgent attention in Ungoggo LG, chairperson women peace and security, Ambassador Nafisa Muhammad Ado stressed that renovation of Dan Tamashe hospital and Tsohuwar Makabarta primary school, upgrade of Tafasa, Madugu, Jajira to Gadan road, should be inserted into the 2023 proposed budget.
The event tagged ‘Engagement with women groups and PWDs on citizens input budget’ organized by PERL funded by foreign common wealth development office (FCDO), attracted 6 clusters of PWDs and women groups to brainstorm on their needs and aspirations in 2023 financial year.
KHADIJAH ALIYU