Adamawa Government, USAID Nigeria Engage MDAs on Citizen-Nominated Projects for 2025 Budget

By Rabi Mevom

The Adamawa State Government, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria, has concluded a two-day roundtable discussion aimed at incorporating citizen-nominated projects into the 2025 state budget.

The engagement, held at the AUN Hotel in Yola, brought together representatives from relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), media outlets, and civil society organizations (CSOs). The objective was to review and validate citizen-nominated projects identified through a statewide consultation process.

During the roundtable, participants discussed the significance of citizen involvement in budget formulation and the mechanisms for ensuring their projects are prioritized. The Community Charter of Demands (CCD) and Community Development Plan (CDP) were presented as key tools for capturing citizens' priorities.

The discussion also focused on improving citizen participation in budget monitoring and execution, addressing challenges in the current consultation process, and developing strategies for more effective engagement.

The State Team Lead for State2State in Adamawa, Mrs. Suzanne Myada, represented by Mr. Emmanuel Bwala, emphasized the importance of the roundtable in enhancing public financial management (PFM) and ensuring transparency in the budget process.

The PFM expert, Mr. Allahdon Kenan, and the Budget Department of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning provided insights into the process of incorporating citizen-nominated projects into the budget. They highlighted the need for timely release of call circulars, feedback mechanisms, and quarterly discussions with CSOs to ensure effective citizen participation.

The roundtable concluded with actionable recommendations for MDAs on improving citizen involvement in budget preparation, monitoring, and execution. The recommendations include strengthening communication channels, utilizing the CCD and CDP effectively, and ensuring timely feedback to citizens.

By incorporating citizen-nominated projects into the 2025 budget, the Adamawa State Government aims to enhance accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of its citizens.