Members of the Niger State Planning Commission have presented the abridged version of the citizen budget to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago as part of efforts towards ensuring inclusion, transparency, and accountability in governance in the state.
The members, led by Commissioner Mustapha Ndajiwo, while presenting the abridged version of the citizen budget to the Governor in Minna, said it was developed to make government finances more accessible and understandable for its citizens.
Ndajiwo told Bago that the government’s citizens’ budget is aimed at a simplified version of the approved estimates presented in an infographic for the citizens to clearly understand the intent of the government.
According to him, “The advent of the Citizens’ Budget has brought a new dimension to the participation of citizens in governance as it increased their understanding of government finances (inflow and outflow), Involvement in decision-making, and implementation of the budget, thereby promoting transparency accountability and inclusiveness”
“It is one of the positive innovations adopted from the state’s participation in the Open Governance Partnership Initiative”.
He noted that the current edition is the seventh in the series of citizens’ budgets produced by the state which outlined all government expected revenues and their sources, including loans and grants.
The commissioner explained that highlights of expenditure, both recurrent and capital, are also defined alongside government entities responsible for their process of coordination, thus increasing citizens’ awareness and giving them the power to engage in meaningful discussions with the government.
He further stated, “Grants are funds given to the government as assistance to complement its efforts in the execution of projects. Grants are non-refundable funds it’s in the form of aid or gifts to enable government impact on citizens.
“In pursuit of the transformation into building a New and sustainable Niger, the 2024 budget is focused on the following priority areas to include; Urban Renewal and Rural Transformation, Security of Lives and Property, Infrastructural Development, Agriculture and Food Security, health and education”
“Others are Water and Sanitation, Women and Children, Environmental, Sustainability, and Special needs people and elderly care among others.”