FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT INITIAVE (FOCEI) In collaboration with Gombe State Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Conducted a Stakeholders Town hall Meeting with Gombe South Stakeholders on A CITIZEN’S ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT(CARS)

In other to promote global best practices in Governance, Gombe State Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in Collaboration with a Non-Governmental Organization Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative (FOCEI) carried out a citizens engagement meeting with stakeholders in Gombe south consisting of Billiri, Balanga, Kaltungo and Shongom Local Governments of Gombe State.

The meeting which took place on 1^st September, 2022 at Katungo Local Government Council chamber and it has in attendance representatives Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Director Budget and Director Final Account from the Accountant General office. Also in attendance during the meeting are stakeholders from Gombe south consisting of traditional rulers, representative of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Civil society Organizations (CSOs).

During the meeting representative of the Permanent secretary Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Mr. Gideon Alim Maisamari welcomed all the participants and prayed for fruitful deliberations. He encouraged participants to use the platform and participate in governance by making inputs that will help government satisfy the needs of their community.

Goodwill massage from USAID States to State Activity representative Mr. Silas Daniel said that States to States seeks to facilitate a shift from the orthodox to the modern way of governance. And, also ensure that elected leaders are accountable to the citizens through adequate engagement and citizens participation as well as receive create platforms for citizens to make inputs in budget development and community development. He further highlighted the targets of the organization as follows:

Establish how government expenditures are implemented and what are the impacts on the communities,
Ensure a holistic budget development process in governance through citizens engagement and town hall meetings. These will help create a convergence between what government can do and what citizens need and also help the communities to keep tract of projects approved for them. The organization desire that citizens should be carried along in governance with more citizens engagement and less confidentiality,

Promote accountability, transparency and reform in governance and facilitate the morals of democracy.

He concluded by wishing the participants a successful deliberation.

Similarly, magajin Garin Kaltungo in his message welcomed all participants to the interactive session aimed at promoting good governance. And, he appreciates the ministry of finance and economic development for facilitating the program as he expressed his surprised that government are organizing a platform to get inputs from citizens. He went on to commend the initiative and stressed the need for governance to be more citizens oriented through town hall meeting and interactive discussions. Finally, we prayed for a successful discussion and journey mercies to all participants.

Executive Director Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative Mrs. Rahab M. Loh addressing Participants during the meeting.

Haruna Musa Galadima, Dagacin Aya Kaleh Kaltungo pleaded for the construction of a skills acquisition and development centres to curb youth vices and create more employment.

Paul Shehu, Dagacin Kalaring appreciated the organizers for creating such a beneficial forum in the community. He advised that next time, notification for the program should be made in good time so that wider consultation will be made especially by traditional leaders. He also applauded the government for the Gombe Goes Green (3G) project and pleaded that it should be maintained and expanded beyond road sides to public places and religious centres. He further requested for the construction of a culvert in the new allocated farms in Kalaring Kaltungo to help citizens access their farms and to also control erosion. Also, a road should be constructed to the new NTA station in Kalaring Kaltungo. He concluded that the remuneration of traditional leaders should be reviewed upward to enable them serve as security watchdogs.

Secretary FOYAE Budget Advocacy Committee from Billiri Making Presentation during the Citizens Accountability Report meeting

Alhassan Adamu Kanawa, representative of Layasakalak appreciated the FOCDEI, S2S and Government for creating the interactive forum for citizens’ engagement. He further appreciated government for the renovation of Government Science Secondary School Kaltungo (Lakanje), renovation of General Hospital Kaltungo and development various Primary Health Centres in the local government as well as the appointment of prominent indigenes of Kaltungo in government positions. He pleaded for an increase in health workers across all the health facilities developed by government and measures should be taken those who are engaged in drug abuse. He concluded by praying for more employment opportunities to the citizens which help reduce the menace of drug abuse and insecurity.

Adamu Mohammed Ali, representative of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Area council lamented the poor understanding of budget by citizens which has affected their capacity to hold government accountable. He advised that government contracts should be carried within the period they were captured and approved for a maximum impact. He submitted that Government projects are sometimes far away from the communities, lack amenities closer to them, with no convenience and lack safety protocols.

Finally, the representative of government assured participants that all their inputs are duly noted and would be considered for implementation and wish all participants journey mercies.

The Executive Director FOCEI appreciated all the participants for fruitful deliberations and wish everyone journey mercies to his/her destination.

Report by Jibrin Isah Chiroma

Program Officer