Osun Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof. Olalekan Yinusa on has stated that Governor Gboyega Oyetola will continue to run an inclusive and participatory government that will continue to take the needs of the people as priority.
The Commissioner stated this while addressing participants from the three Senatorial districts of the State who attended the Citizens Consultative Engagement Forum for the year 2021 proposed budget.
The programme organized by the State Government of Osun through the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget in conjuction with the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme (SFTAS) is meant to give residents of the state an opportunity to make their input into the state’s budget.
Speaking further at the programme held in Ikirun, Ile-Ife and Ede, the Commissioner explained that the programme is also aimed at giving stewardship account of requests of the people concerning the last year’s budget, those that have been met, determine areas requiring improvement and make things better for the people of Osun.
He said “Government officials cannot sit in Abere and determine what people wants, rather, citizens must be consulted in the entire project planning process to determine what people wants and get them integrated into the plan and Budget of the State government for implementation in the next fiscal year.
“We are here today to come and listen to your demands because we are in the process of preparing the 2021 budget of the state. We don’t want to put what we feel like in the budget, budget is prepared because of you the people and that is why Governor Gboyega Oyetola has sent us to come and ask for your needs and how best to deliver them.
“We also want to get feedback on projects and Programmes requested for last year and how satisfied are the people with the level of implementation so far. However, we must understand that budget of one year can not take care of all your needs at a time, so this engagement forum will give us the opportunity to know those things that are yet to be done and know how to prioritize them for immediate delivery.
“Our Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola wants your input into the state’s budget, he is a man committed to running an inclusive and participatory government where your needs will continue to be his priority. You are the people that voted for him, that’s why he is irrevocably committed to satisfying your needs.” The University don stated.
In an address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning and Budget, Hon. Aderemi Kolajo praised the participants at the forum for trooping out in their numbers to tell the government what they want.
Participants at the forum include: Traditional Rulers, Market Men and Women, Community Development Associations(CDAs), religious leaders, Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs), Civil Society Organizations(CSOs), Agencies and Institutions across the local governments in the three senatorial districts.
