Kwara State Government has concluded the Statewide consultations of the citizens in its bid to harvest the actual needs of the people, to be included in year 2024 budget preparation, which will in turn fast-track development across the nooks and crannies of the State.

The Statewide consultations of the citizens was concluded at Ilorin East Local Government, which served as the host to the remaining three Local Government Areas in the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

The programme had earlier been held at Patigi and Offa for Kwara North and Kwara South Senatorial Districts, respectively, with massive and impressive turnout.

While addressing the large gathering at the programme, the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Kora Sabi, said it has become sacrosanct for government to ensure participatory budgeting for accelerated socio-economic and infrastructural development of the State, describing it as the global best practice.

Hon. Lafia disclosed that the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is committed to providing succor to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, which informed his policy of engaging the citizens on budget process since his assumption of office in 2019.

The Chairperson, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Fatima Arinola Lawal, lauded the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his resolve to assuage the sufferings of the people across the State, adding that participants should express themselves on their most pressing needs and assured them that, as their elected Lawmaker, their interests would be included in the budget for year 2024.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretaries from Kwara Central Senatorial District, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, said the State Government is conducting medical outreach across the State to ensure improved health care delivery at zero cost, while several health facilities are being equipped for the betterment of the State.

The Permanent Secretary added that the citizens should take full advantage of the magnanimity of the State Governor to express their needs so that it can be captured for year 2024 financial appropriation.

Speaking for the four Transition Implementation Committee Chairpersons (TIC) in the Kwara Central Senatorial District, the Chairperson of Ilorin East Local Government, Hon. Ayobami Seriki, appreciated Governor AbdulRazaq for his immense support in ensuring that local governments performed their duties, revealing that their requests in the past year were actualized while the requests for this year have been submitted for considerations.

Earlier, the State Director of Budget, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe noted that Governor AbdulRazaq has changed the culture of budget preparation in the state wherein Recurrent Expenditure exceeds the Capital Expenditure, adding that the practice has greatly improved the state’s infrastructural development.

The Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Zubair Aremu, showered praises on the State Governor for his unprecedented response to yearnings of the people, praying for his success in taking Kwara to the promise land.

Speaking on behalf of the Civil Society Organizations in Kwara State, the Executive Director of Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication, Mallam Ayuba Abdulrahman, commended the State Governor for the several people-oriented interventions he has recorded across different sectors in the State, pointing out that the security architectures of the State needed to be strengthened for sustainable growth and development.

Mallam Abdulkareem Lawal, who also spoke on behalf of Persons with Disabilities, appreciated the State Governor for his inclusive governance and engaging the public for the collective growth of the State.

He urged the state government to renovate and equip the library for the physically challenged in order to improve their academic performances.

The gathering had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life in the Kwara Central Senatorial District including Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Members of the State House of Assembly, Chairperson of Civil Service Commission, Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Technical Implementation Committee Chairmen for Kwara Central Senatorial District, Magaji Are and Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations, amongst others.