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Gov Nwifuru Calls On Citizens To Make Input In the State 2024 budget

By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has called on the citizens of the State to contribute immensely in the preparation of the 2024 budget through individual and group recommendations.

Gov. Nwifuru made the call during a one day Citizens' consultative meeting on the preparation of 2024 budget in the State, which took place at the Ecumenical Center, Abakaliki. The event attracted several stakeholders, including traditional rulers, women groups, civil society organisations, students, professional groups and members of community development associations

The governor who reiterated his administration's commitment to openness in governance and all inclusive budgeting process, said, the exercise provides a veritable platform for citizens of the State to make inputs on developmental projects they want government to execute in the 2024 fiscal year 

He said "In the people’s charter of needs, we have a lot of sectors and we think it is necessary to sit down with our people and discuss on what to do", saying that government has identified many roads that need attention in the State.

 According to him, some of the roads are rural roads, some are urban toads, while some are federal roads.

"I am very impressed listening to the Honourable Commissioner for Finance analyzing the Budget estimate for 2024, it is an estimate and it became very necessary that we lay it to Ebonyi people to criticize and make their inputs.

"We need to be very open to the people of the State and to get Ebonyi people involved in what we think we can do to better their lives.

"In the area of works, we have marshalled out and identified so many roads that need urgent attention of the Government of the State, some are rural roads, some are urban roads and some are Federal roads.

"In Ebonyi North, we have Nwiboko Obodo road, 12 km,;  Okwo Ngbo NigerCem road; Mgbaji Nwagu-Iziogo road already awarded; Kpirikiri-Randa-Nwofe road. Some sections of the road as far as I am concerned is in a very deplorable condition and we will give it a face lift.

According to the Governor, in Ebonyi Central, Ezillo-Iyionu-Ezzaegu 23.8km contract has already  been awarded. Contractors are already on site, at 13.34km Oriuzor road, among others.

The Governor disclosed that road constructions are on going in all the Local Government Areas of the State.

"As it stands today, the Ministry of Works has the highest chunk of the budget to the tune of over 21 billion naira."

Governor Nwifuru while noting that Health would get second highest attention under the 2024 Budget, said that it becomes necessary in order to create access to health care services to the average Ebonyians in line with his People's Charter of Needs blueprint.

"We have recruited 36 new Doctors added to 7 of them previously bringing the total of them to 42. What the State will do is to pay them salary equivalent to what the Federal Government pays Doctors, buy them brand new Jeeps, furnish the Doctors Quarters in the General Hospitals and make the Quarter habitable.

"As we speak, a contract of 8.81billion naira already awarded for the supply of Drugs, consumables, and equipment in the General Hospitals so that you don't have any need to come to town or even Abuja in search of medical attention."

The Governor also hinted of his administration's desire to scale up empowerment for underprivileged Ebonyians under the 2024 Budget.

"In our Primary Schools, we are not in a haste to do employment, we will do employment but we will do quality employment."

The Governor announced plans to build 39 pilot Model secondary schools that will serve as a reference point in further upgrade of public Schools in Ebonyi State and sister States in the Country. END