Benue State Governor, His Excellency Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia has advocated for a rural-to-urban approach in future engagement of the Benue public in budget preparation to pave way for broader inputs from the citizenry.
The Governor stated this through his Deputy, Barr Dr Sam Ode, mni, recently in Makurdi while declaring open the 2023 Public Consultative Town Hall Meeting and Citizens Engagement for the preparation of 2024 Budget.
He admonished that "In the future while planning citizens engagement, it should begin from the rural areas then built up to the urban centers, in that way, civil societies and other citizens who do not have the economic wherewithal to travel to Makurdi will be able to participate at such local level".
He viewed the inclusiveness and participatory budget as very crucial as the present administration firmly believe that the collective wisdom of citizens is valuable and must be tapped into as each individual holds a unique perspective and experience that can enrich the decision making process of the state.
Governor Alia urged Benue people to give meaningful inputs as such will enable government device innovative strategies and allocate scarce resources efficiently.
"Our individual and collective contributions, suggestions and ideas carry the power to create a budget that fully reflects the aspirations and needs of our diverse communities", he added.
The Governor reassured that his administration is determined to do the right thing, feel the pulse of the people and gauge their perception so that in shaping public policy, their views and expectations become the ingredients that will be used to plan the present and future of the state.
Representative of UNICEF, Ngozi Onuora, in her contribution, called for budget allocation that will cover the needs of both children and mothers in the state.
Benue non-governmental organizations, represented by Mr Laz Mom as well as the representative of the traditional rulers, the Ter Kunav, HRH Achi Aku Nyiyongo both called on the state government to focus its budget on agriculture which they said is the mainstay of the state's economy.
Earlier in a welcome address the Director of Budget, Dr Aondowase Nyam said the town hall meeting and citizens engagement is in preparatory to the 2024 budget, further stressed that it is meant to foster greater understanding between the government and the governed and gives citizens the opportunity to understand how budget relates to their needs.
The consultative meeting brought together people from all works of life ranging from traditional rulers, the clergy, civil societies, public and civil servants as well as the physically challenged.
Ior Ikyereve
Deputy Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor,
Office of the Deputy Governor
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