Kano State Ministry of Budget and Planning, has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring an inclusive citizens budget to move the state forward.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry Alhaji Mukhtar Ado Yakasai , made the disclosure while receiving citizens input on Kano state 2023 budget from coalition of civil society organizations, with support from PERL(ECP).
According to him, the ministry has commenced collation of citizens needs from each of the five emirate councils of Kano, Bichi, Karaye, Rano and Gaya for integration into the annual budget.
He highlighted that, citizens would be carried along the budget process from bilateral discussions, public hearing, and possible execution of the budget, which is a civic responsibility as enshrined by section 8 of the constitution.
Alhaji Mukhtar, described citizens as key stakeholders in preparations of annual budget, starting from development of medium term expenditure frame work, which forms the basis of implementation and determine the content of resources available in the next three years.
“I appreciate your efforts for assisting the ministry to have this kind of budget”
Speaking shortly after submitting their demands, General Secretary Nigeria Association of the Blind Kano state chapter, Abdulrazak Ado Zango explained that, they were at the ministry to forward their inputs which they expect the government to capture at least over fifty percent.
He noted that, the demands were collated from people with visual and hearing impairment, physically challenged, albinos and those suffering from spinal cord injuries across the forty four local government areas in the state.
On the possibility of executing citizens demands in 2023 proposed budget, Chairman Coalition for Kano state community based organizations Comrade Awaisu Umar Usman, noted that the association of people with special needs, Kano budget working group, women groups and CSOs were part of those who contributed to success of the collation.
Radio Nigeria reports that earlier, during an engagement with PWDs and women groups on citizens budget input, state partnership facilitator, Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn PERL (ECP), Alhaji Yunusa Hamza pointed out that the inputs captured would be forwarded to Kano state house of assembly for inclusion.
He maintained that PERL (ECP), would support subsequent follow ups on the budget process, to meet the yearnings and aspirations of PWDs and vulnerable groups in 2023 fiscal year.
KHADIJAH ALIYU