Borno stakeholders accord priority to health, two other sectors in 2025 budget
By Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
The Borno State stakeholders and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have accorded priority to the health, education, and job creation sectors in the 2025 budget proposals.
Soliciting their inputs into the budget proposals yesterday (Wednesday) at a Town Hall meeting in Maiduguri, the Commissioner of Budget and Planning, Dr. Babagana Mallambe, disclosed: “Today’s event serves a platform for aligning citizens’ inputs and government plans into next year’s budget.”
He stated that the implementation of the stakeholders’ inputs into the budget could accelerate the socioeconomic development of the state.
Additionally, he said that the town hall meeting ensures transparency and stakeholders’ engagement process for fiscal discipline to discourage extra budgetary expenditures by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
This is also in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Law, 2020, which highlighted the function of all stakeholders as well as spelling out the expected fiscal activities of the state.
He told the stakeholders that their inputs into the budget represent commitments to resilience, reconstruction, and sustainable development across the state. “Our people have shown unwavering courage and determination in the face of immense challenges,” he said.
Mallambe, therefore, advised them that next year’s budget should be a reflection of their needs and aspirations, despite the 15-year Boko Haram insurgency.
According to him, the MDAs are expected to meet the goals of the 25-year state development plan, including the 10-year strategic transformation initiatives (STIsO).
Other priorities of the MDAs included the completion of ongoing projects and incorporating people’s budget inputs from the town meeting for implementation. On the government’s policy direction, he said, “Our commitments in the 2025 fiscal year are to complete the return of displaced persons and the rebuilding of infrastructure destroyed in the recent floods.
The commissioner added that farmers will be supported with agricultural inputs, extension services, and market access, as well as investments in rural infrastructure to improve the livelihoods of rural communities.
He warned the MDAs that no expenditures would be approved when they are not captured in the 2025 budget, while the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) led by Bello Ayuba demanded for the health sector priority to save people’s lives.
Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Yusuf Inuwa, also reiterated the training and re-training of workers, stating that it will increase the capacity of workers while serving the people. The over a dozen CSOs said they should be linked to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to create jobs in communities affected by the recent floods.
Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by his deputy, Usman Kadafur, further warned the MDAs that the state government will not approve any expenditures that are not captured in the budget.
He assured the people that next year’s budget will touch the lives of many people in communities. End.
