From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A None-Governmental Organisation, Socio Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDEC), has called on governments at all levels to embrace the spirit of accountability and transparency in budgeting process.
The National Coordinator for the launch of the North Central States Budget Transparency Survey Report 2020, Tijani Abdulkareem made the call during the stakeholders forum held in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital at the weekend.
The Coordinator said that the stakeholders forum is usually put in place every two years by his organisation to evaluate states survey on accountability and transparency in budgeting process.
He said the target is aimed at”Bringing Stakeholders together to see workable avenues in building accountability and transparency in budgeting”
Abdulkareem said that more need to be done by government at all levels in ensuring involvement of public participation in the budgeting process.
“Openness, enlightenment and engagement of citizens in budgeting process is highly desirable and will serve as an effective feedback mechanism” Abdulkareem added.
Speaking at the forum, the Kogi state commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris called on the NGOs to support the state government in its development efforts through effective contributions to the budgeting process.
The commissioner gave an assurance that the state government will continue to partner relevant NGOs and Donor Agencies for accelerated development of the state.
Idris disclosed that the ten years development plan of the present administration in the state will give priority to education, health, agriculture and job creation sectors as well as youth and women empowerment.
The commissioner expressed delight that the present administration since inception, had judiciously utilised all the monies that had accrued to the government for the benefit of humanity.
