Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River on Friday assured residents of the state of strict monitoring and evaluation of budget implementation.
Speaking in Ogoja at a two-day budget consultative forum for local governments in the Cross River Senatorial District, Imoke said that his administration would entrench transparency and accountability in the budgeting system.
“Please monitor and challenge us if we fail to deliver to your expectations, ‘’ he said.
?Imoke, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr Peter Ojie, said that the forum was part of his administration’s effort at taking governance to the grassroots.
He said that Nigeria would get it right if her budgeting processes were perfected and if it placed premium on accountable and prudent financial management.
?“This state is focusing on agriculture and tourism for which it has comparative advantage and the edge to create jobs and reduce unemployment.
“Our revolution in these sectors shall create multiplier effects on poverty reduction and job creation for our army of unemployed youths,“ he said.
Dr Peter Oti, the Special Adviser to Imoke on Budget Matters, said that there was the need for the grassroots to be more engaged in budgeting process.
Oti said a forum that allowed the grassroots to contribute to budget making would enhance transparency, accountability and good governance.
“The State Government is committed to ensuring that people-oriented policies and programmes are executed,“ he said.
A participant at the forum, Mr Sunday Ekpotu, described the forum as “very essential, timely and necessary“.
Ekpotu, a staff of Obudu Local Government, said “I am happy about this forum because it has afforded me the opportunity of know what budgeting is all about. “ (NAN)