By: Aisha Mohammed
Members of Civil Society organizations in Adamawa State have charged citizens on the need to demand transparency and accountability with regards to budget and releases from government at all levels for the rapid development of the Nation.
They gave the charge at a three-day workshop on preparation for Adamawa State 2022 Citizen’s Accountability Report, CAR in Yola Adamawa State organized by State2State USAID funded project.
State Lead, Transparency and Accountability in Totality Initiative, Mohammed Jidda Abubakar, Mary Mshelia of NAMTRA Women Association and Charles Christopher of Positive Youths for Transformation Initiative, stressed the need for citizens to ask relevant questions with regards to the budget and releases to help government identify loop holes and leakages for the development of the state and county at large.
On her part, Executive Director, Adamawa People With Disabilities and Vulnerable Support Initiative, Salamatu Abdullahi who says the role of the citizens in Nation building cannot be over emphasized especially People Living With Disabilities solicited special attention with issues concerning taxes.
Senior Accountant, Office of the Accountant-General Adamawa State, Ambrose Framer, encouraged citizens to ask questions for clarity and observation, and charge CSOs to work closely with government for robost development.
State2State Public Financial Specialist, Suzanne Myada said the Citizen’s Accountability Reports, CAR, are summarized and comprehensive versions of the audited financial statements and details of state government public consultations made available on the state official website(s) each subsequent financial year for citizen’s utilization.
Suzanne further explained that the strategic objectives of the intervention is to support the state officials prepare and publish Citizens’ Accountability Report annually and charged the CSOs to use the CAR as an advocacy tool to improve budget allocations, releases and service delivery in education, health, and WASH sectors.