CSOs submit Ebonyi communities’ priority demand for inclusion in 2025 State Budget
By Oswald Agwu, Abakaliki
Document containing priority demands of Ebony communities have been submitted to the State Ministry of Budget, planning, Research and Monitoring for possible inclusion in the 2025 budget.
The document covering over 60 communities across the 13 local government areas and the 3 senatorial zones of the State were submitted by a group of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
The needs were harvested through series of community town halls and engagements conducted by an eight member CSO group codenamed “Green-the-Red Health Sector Cluster.
It was part of activities of the Cluster in its implementation of the USAID-Palladium’s Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement Project aimed at “Addressing Accountability and Budgetary Concerns for Sustainable Healthcare in Ebonyi State.
The event was held Wednesday at the Ministry’s headquarters, Centenary City, Abakaliki.
Making presentations on the document, the Executive Director of the Cluster Anchor Organization, Development and Integrity Intervention Goal Foundation, (DIG), Oliver Chima Ajah, said the document represented the actual priority needs emanating directly form the community people.
He emphasized that the needs harvesting were inclusive, representing the interests of all the social segments of the communities: Men, women, youths, including people with disabilities.
He expressed the hope that the Ministry would collaborate with other responsible Ministries, departments and agencies of government towards ensuring that there will be budgetary provisions for the needs in the 2025 budget.
In her reaction, the State Commissioner for Budget, Planning, Research and Monitoring, Chinwe Okah, appreciated the Cluster for the initiative, pledging to make effective use of the document in the budgeting process.
Okah, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mfon Williamson, described the event as pleasing, adding that the activities under the project has simplified the Ministry’s job of seeking means of incorporating citizens’ needs in the budget.
Speaking for the communities, Peter Okoronkwo, Oliver Eze and Chinedu Chibueze Agbo, representing the South, Central and North Senatorial zone of the State respectively, confirmed that the content of the documents were true reflection of what their communities submitted.
Others who spoke, including a cluster member, Mrs Margaret Nworie, the traditional ruler of Oriuzor Community, Ezeogo Nwite Ngele and the Deputy Coordinator of Ebonyi state Civil Societies network, Goodness Mgbaja, urged the Ministry to ensure that the document is given attention in the preparation of the state 2025 budget
Mgbaja applauded the robust relationship between Ebonyi state government and CSOs in the state which she observed, has placed Ebonyi above other states in participatory governance
*Photo Caption: CSOs, community leaders submitting the CCD document.
