Ebonyi unveils first-ever citizens’ budget engagement framework as stakeholders validate 21-page guideline
By Oswald Agwu, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State has taken a major step toward deepening participatory governance with the development of its first formal guideline to regulate and strengthen citizens’ involvement in the budget process.
The 21-page draft document, titled “Ebonyi State Administrative Citizens Engagement and Participation Strategy on Budget Process,” was developed by the Development and Integrity Intervention Goal (DIG) Foundation with support from LEAP Africa under the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Project.
To ensure transparency and credibility before its final production, DIG Foundation convened a stakeholders’ validation meeting on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Ministry of Budget, Planning, Research and Monitoring in Abakaliki.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Budget, Planning, Research and Monitoring, Mrs. Chinwe Okah, described the initiative as a landmark achievement that reinforces Governor Francis Nwifuru’s inclusive governance drive under the People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
She said the document institutionalises citizens’ participation in fiscal policy formulation and provides a sustainable roadmap for budget engagement beyond the current administration.
According to her, the strategy is the first of its kind since the creation of Ebonyi State and will serve as a reference framework for future governments and development partners.
Okah commended DIG Foundation and its partners for the initiative and pledged the ministry’s commitment to ensuring full implementation of the document’s provisions.
In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Lady Rose Ibe, emphasised that budgeting is not merely a technical exercise but the backbone of governance and a vital instrument for improving citizens’ welfare. She assured participants that all inputs from stakeholders would be carefully considered to strengthen service delivery.
The Executive Director of DIG Foundation, Chief Oliver Chima Aja, explained that the draft emerged from extensive consultations at committee, local and zonal levels before reaching the validation stage.
He noted that the document is designed to institutionalise and sustain budget reform initiatives in line with the state’s development agenda.
“The document is for administrative convenience. Anyone who comes into government or partnership will clearly understand how Ebonyi conducts its budget process and how to key into it,” Aja said.
Other stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Mfon Williamson; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and State Orientation, Mrs. Patricia Nwobasi; and the State Auditor-General, Mrs. Nnenna Agatha Ekuma, commended DIG Foundation for what they described as a timely and impactful initiative.
Williamson noted that the validation exercise marks the final stage before printing and public release, stressing that the document would serve as a lasting reference for citizen engagement in future budget cycles.
The project consultant, Dr. Ibiam Azu Agwu, represented by his associate, Benjamin Ahange, presented the draft document and received additional inputs from stakeholders during the session.
