By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The 31 members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA) have expressed their support for strengthening citizens engagement and active participation in the implementation of budget in Bauchi in Bauchi State.
The members also resolved to intensify efforts in it’s oversight functions on implementation of citizens nominated projects, especially in key priority sectors of Health, Basic Education and WASH in the State.
These were part of recommendations contained in a communique issued at the end of a 3-Day Bauchi State Quarterly Budget Performance Hearing between State House of Assembly, Relevant MDAs and CSOs on Priority Sectors of Education, Health and Wash that was supported by USAID State2State, which held at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, between 26th – 28th August,2024.
Also, participants agreed that all MDAs should strive and ensure timely submission of their quarterly budget performance reports to the Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination and Office of the Accountant. This, according to the participants, would enable citizens to keep track of government spending on projects.
The meeting also recommended that the State Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination should create a budget line in the 2025 annual budget to enhance the implementation of School Safety, Security and Violence-free initiative in order to enhance conducive learning environment.
The 12 point recommendations further enjoined the government to empower priority MDAs (including bureau of public procurement) to conduct routine monitoring of education, health and WASH facilities and workers across the State.
The commuque, which was signed by Hon. Barrister Habibu Umar and Sama’ila Gwamna, Chairman and Secretary of the communique drafting committee, expressed participants appreciation to the Bauchi State Government for its commitment in creating an enabling environment in promoting and supporting initiatives for good governance and effective service delivery in the State.
The meeting also commended the USAID State2State project, Bauchi Field Office (BFO) for its drive towards entrenching good governance for effective service delivery in the key priority sectors.
It said that the lessons learnt over the years in the course of implementing the State2State programme and activities, and the gaps identified within the period under review were well noted, stressing that, such supports would be up-scaled and sustained across the State.
Our correspondent reports that the quarterly budget performance review meeting attracted participants from the Bauchi State House of Assembly, priority MDAs in the Health, Education and WASH Sectors. Others were drawn from the State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Office of the Accountant General, Beareau for Public Procumbent, office of the Auditor General, CSOs and the Media.