Abia Govt collects citizens’ needs for 2027 budget

Abia State Government has said that it will not send the State’s 2027 budget to the State’s House of Assembly, unless the citizens of the State submit the most important needs in their communities.

The State government also says that observations raised by its citizens about the 2026 budget implementation would be considered in the build-up to the 2027 budget.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Kingsley Anosike made this known on Thursday in Umuahia during a one-day citizens’ engagement organized by the Abia State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The engagement was used to bring together community leaders, government agencies, civil society organizations, the legal profession, youth leaders, Journalists, officials of Abia State House of Assembly, civil servants, Persons Living With Disabilities in other to collect their needs for the 2027 Abia State Budget.

It also provided opportunities for the participation to have a direct interaction with Abia State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Kingsley Anosike and the Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Economic Planning, Ekwuribe.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for citizens to review the ongoing implementation of the 2026 Abia State budget and offer opinions, where necessary.

Presenting its demands, the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA , Abia State branch, lamented that some Court facilities in the State are in deplorable condition.

The NBA which spoke through Ikemefuna Ijeoma and Nduri Chibuike Eruba, said that the bad conditions of the court buildings affect speedy dispensation of justice.

The NBA demanded that more funding be chaneled to fix dilapidated infrastructure in Abia State judiciary sector.

The NBA however, praised Governor Alex Otti for the infrastructural transformation carried out in some facilities of Abia State judiciary but called for more attention on dilapidated areas.

In his contribution, the traditional ruler of Okaiuga Alaike autonomous community Umuahia North, Eze Innocent Nwaigwe of called for the deployment of adequate security to protect school facilities in communities from vandals.

Eze Nwaigwe who drummed more support for Governor Alex Otti, said the Governor has given Abia State a new identity of positive development, adding that those criticizing the Governor should remember the deplorable condition Abia State found before May 2023.

He explained that the transformation train of development driven by Governor Otti is moving across every corner of Abia State, with new thing being established in different communities.

In their demands, some members of Persons Living With Disabilities called for provision of more suitable facilities for them in government property.

While commending Governor Alex Otti for his kindness to them, the Persons Living With Disabilities said that Climate Change initiatives of the State government in 2027 Abia budget should consider their interest s.

Mrs Ihediwamma Gladys, the Executive Director Grassroots Community Development Initiative (GRACODEV) said that civil society organizations should be carried along in the monitoring of budget implementation monitoring, not only for pre-budget engagements.

Earlier in his presentation, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Economic Planning, Eric Egwuibe said that ” what government is spending is the people’s money, that is why people should know how government is spending their money.

” We are transparent , we are not hiding anything.

“That is why when you think that there is any error in our budgets and spendings, we go back and correct it.”, said Egwuibe.

The SA noted that identified economic assumptions, revenue collections, tax projects among others, as factors that determine government earnings and spendings.

Egwuibe also said that the Abia 2027 budget outlook would be based on the economic assumptions provided by the National Bureau on Statistics (NBS) .

The statistics he said, include 15.9 % inflation, 4.30% GDP growth, $60 per barrel oil benchmark, foreign exchange rate of N1,432 to $1 among others.

He advised Abia citizens to always pay their taxes and other revenues to enable Governor Alex Otti to do more works for the State.

Egwuibe further cautioned Abia residents against paying money to individuals or fraudsters but to make use of government approved channels.

Responding to submissions by various communities and groups, Abia State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Kingsley Anosike said that the State government will continue to address the needs of Abia people according to available resources.

He promised that development will be extended to every nook and cranny of the State, saying that no sector or community would be abandoned.

The Commissioner explained that the most important needs of the people are always given premium consideration in project execution.

He thanked all the participants for honouring the occasion and for bringing up their own idea.

The One-day citizens’ engagement represents a bold and transparent policy of the Abia State government, as done through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

It reiterates the transparent and people-focused policy framework of Governor Alex Otti under the New Abia he leads.