USAID S2S Activity trains LGA officials on participatory budget preparation in Gombe
To ensure an inclusive 2024 budget preparation that considers the needs and priorities of diverse stakeholders,the United States Agency for International Development State2State Activity has trained 22 officials in Gombe State, Nigeria on Participatory Budget preparation (Budget Consultation).
The training held at the Emerald Royal Hill Hotel Gombe State had in attendance officers from Nafada, Balanga, Akko, Gombe Local Government Areas, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Budget Planning and Partner Coordination office.
The participants included the local government Area Treasurers and Senior Planning Officers from the education, health, and WASH sectors of the LGAs.
During the training participants were taken through presentations on participatory budgeting, concepts and principles of participatory budgeting,it benefits and steps involved. Gender and Social Inclusion and conflict mainstreaming in budget consultation and a case study of Community Charter of Demands.
The training also featured how the LGAs can use the CCD tool to bring about greater community participation in the 2024 budget preparation process.
In an address of welcome, the State2State Gombe State Field Office Team Lead, Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar, described the local government as a very important sector of governance hence, the training to enlighten participants on the importance of people’s Budget.
He urged the participants to actively participate and contribute meaningfully to achieve the training’s objectives.
Giving the overview, objectives and structure of the training the S2S Public Finance Management Specialist Mr Oluwatosin Oke, said the general objective of the training is to equip local government officials in Gombe State with knowledge and skills on participatory budgeting to improve delivery and accountability.
He added that it is also to gain practical knowledge on the steps involved in participatory budgeting and to learn how to effectively engage with citizens and stakeholders during the budget preparation process.
Oke said another objective is to develop an action plan for implementing participatory budgeting in the local government system in Gombe State.
He explained that participatory budgeting is an approach that involves citizens and other non-government stakeholders in the budget preparation process allowing them to contribute to the identification of priority areas and the allocation of resources .
The PFM Specialist who said the importance of participatory budgeting cannot be overemphasised, added that it reflects the real needs and priorities of the community .
The Gombe S2S Local Governance Manager Hajiya Zariyatu Abubakar Hashidu, in a presentation on Gender and Social Inclusion and Conflict Mainstreaming in Budget Consultation this entails ensuring representation from all relevant citizen groups which may include women,youth, people with disabilities.
Hashidu urged them to carry everyone along and use gender sensitive words or language when addressing general issues so as to give everyone sense of belonging.
She stressed the need to ensure that community representatives meet with their diverse constituents to articulate and document needs before submitting to the government and that they be objective.
