Adamawa: USAID provides training to civil society organizations on citizen budgeting

In Adamawa, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has taught a number of Community Social Organizations (CSOs) on how to effectively participate in, present, and execute citizen budgets. 

The training began on Tuesday in Yola, according to Mr. Maxwell Machill, the state’s USAID team head.  

The training, according to Machill, was designed to increase understanding among CSOs in the state on how to prepare for and participate in citizen budget proposals. The four-day training was organized by USAID in collaboration with the State Government, according to him. “The training’s main goal is to provide knowledge to CSOs in the state on how to participate and have an idea in the government’s budget preparation and implementation for transparency, accountability, and effectiveness,” Machill said. “It’s also designed to improve budget effectiveness and efficiency while bringing citizens into the process.” He advised CSOs not to exploit the training to embarrass or distract the government.  

He urged the attendees to keep an eye on the budget for 2022, and charged the CSOs with disseminating what they learned to members of other organizations around the state. 

Mr. Usman Mapeo, the state Planning Commission’s Permanent Secretary, characterized the effort as a positive step forward. 

“The training would improve budget development efficiency and government openness, giving citizens a sense of belonging,” Mapeo stated. 

Malam Nasir Adamu, the state CSOs, also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to learn about how people’ budgets are constructed.  

Adamu praised the exercise’s organizers for bringing members of the public along to see how the budget is produced and executed. (NAN)