By Mansur Danjuma Sanchi
The Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, USAID Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State), ministries, departments, agencies and other stakeholders have drew up a 2025 State level Work plan towards transforming the state to the next level of development.
In his address, the State Director Budget and Economic Planning Alhaji Buhari Umar said a 3day workshop was organized by the State Government with support from the USAID Nigeria State2State in an effort to develop a comprehensive 2025 Work plan for the State.
Alhaji Buhari who is also the Secretary of a State Transformation Committee of USAID State2State Project called on participants to work as a team and come up with realistic issues that will lift the state in its current position of Public Financial Management while assuring the State Government of the readiness to sustain all activities supported by USAID even after the project expiration in Sokoto State.
The Director thanked the NGO for supporting the state in reviewing some of its policies and financial guidelines as well as building numerous stakeholders capacity in Public Financial Management.
He informed the NGO that their capacity building support has put the state in the parameter of those states that contextualized their state budget with that of National Chart of Account.
Also Speaking, the USAID State2State Deputy Chief of Party, Mr Stanley Achonu said the workshop brought relevant stakeholders, civil society organization leaders in developing the fifth year programme activities for continued support to the state and ensure it's sustainability even after the project expiration.
He said the State2State project already spent four years in Sokoto State and it's expected to roundup in 2025 explaining that they had supported several institutions in Public Financial Management, engage citizens to Conflict Litigations and tackle issues related to Gender and Social inclusions.
Stanley added that the NGOs focus is to ensure sustainability of the reforms that have been achieved while calling on the state transformation committee to advice government on the relevant steps that needs to be taken on that regard.
He noted that alot of reforms had been made in budget processing, citizens participation, and procurement hoping that the state will sustain them and improve on the progress made so far.
Mr Stanley acknowledged the Sokoto State Government tremendous progress in publishing the required budget document on time despite minimal technical support, he called on them to improve on procurement and adhered to it's rules. He also applauds their remarkable progress on gender and social inclusion among many others.
The 3 day programme featured group work, group presentations and questions and answers from different angle of the programme.
Participants were drawn from the Ministries of Budget, Finance, Health, Education, Information, Water Resources, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, State House of Assembly, Internal Revenue Service, CSOs, NGOs, OPG and representatives of Seven Selected Focus Local Government Areas.
Others include, USAID Team Lead Sokoto, Abdulkadir Aminu Ladan, Public Financial Management Specialist, Mr Kenny Oleru, CE/CB Consultant, Mr Stephen John and Communication Specialist Mr Israel Odiba among Others.
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