USAID budget consultation, good concept for development – Ebonyi chief

To facilitate open, transparent and inclusive Government, Sunday Oketa, a first class traditional ruler in Ebonyi State, has called for citizen involvement in budgetary process at Local Government level to enhance development in rural areas.

He described the USAID budget consultation meeting as a good concept for development.

This according to him would encourage public participation in all budget stages, beginning with the pre-budget statement, citizens’ budget participation debates, public budget hearings at legislative level, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.

Oketa, represented by a member of his cabinet DAD Enigwe recently in Ebonyi Local Government Area 2025 budget consultation meeting organised by the USAID- State accountability, transparency and effectiveness ( State2State) activity for Ebonyi and Abakiliki Local Government Areas, noted that it would ensure that budget information is accessible to everyone in the local level.

He emphasised that citizen participation would help the Council chairmen to know the needs of the citizens at the grassroots and how to tackle them.

Ebere Eze, USAID State2State Local Government Manager, in her presentation, explained that citizens engagement involves citizens decision making process of public policies and development initiatives that affect the well-being of the citizens, noting that it gives everybody sense of belonging.

“It can result not only greater inclusiveness but also in enhanced forms of social cohesion. And creates a space for open and inclusive dialogue and engagement that can build much needed cohesion within the Community, Local Government Area.

The USAID state2State Local Government Manager urged Ebonyi State Council chairmen to distribute community needs request forms (charter of demand) to formal groups to harvest inputs into the budget.

Ward Counselors from the two Council Areas, who participated in the 2025 budget consultation meeting, said they would work with Council chairmen to ensure that citizens needs are captured in the fiscal year budget.