– Says, Budget Will Be People-Oriented
The Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Chuck Chukwuemkea gas stressed the need for Commissioners and Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to be fully involved in budget development process and also ensure that it is in line with the state government’s 10 year development plan.
Chukwuemeka, who stated this while speaking at the 2025 bilateral discussion/budget defense of his ministry with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, harped on the need for Heads of MDAs to identify priority areas of interest and work closely with the people for whom the budget is made with a view to identifying their needs and thereafter incorporate them into what would be referred to as a “citizens’ budget” using the bottom to top approach, instead of the top to bottom approach.
This was contained in a release signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ogaraku Chimezie C, and made available to the press.
Commissioner Chuckuemeka stated that incorporating the vision / priority interest of the government and the people’s need together ensures that items in the budget are things that are implemented. And that will also make the budget very viable and easy to scale through the budget performance test.
He therefore charged fellow Commissioners and heads of MDAs to give the budget development process the seriousness that it deserves by appearing in person to defend those critical areas of their mandate and cooperate with the Commissioner for Budget Development to ensure the timely production of the 2025 State budget.
In his speech, the Chairman of the State Budget Committee and the Hon. Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Anselm Ezechukwumere Anyanwu pointed out that having spent his working carrier in the Budget Office of the Federation, he noticed some little differences between the two tiers of government but assured that he will strengthen the system by ensuring that Imo State excels in budget performance.
He described the budget note from the Ministry of Finance as wonderful noting that only few items may need to be tinkered and urged the ministry of Finance team to always be ready for clarification if there is need.
The Commissioner was accompanied to the bilateral discussion by the Accountant General of the State, Linus Okafor, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Blessing Egbuka, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Kingsley Okorie and Heads of other departments”.
