Sokoto State Government in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State Activity has developed 2025 work plan to achieve service delivery.
The state government was represented by Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Stakeholders from different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as Civil Society Organizations, drawing up a 2025-level Work plan towards transforming the State to the next level of development.
Speaking in his address, the State Director of Budget and Economic Planning Alhaji Buhari Umar said the 3-day workshop was organized by the State Government with support from the USAID Nigeria State2State to develop a comprehensive 2025 Work plan for the State.
Buhari who is also the Secretary, of the Sokoto State Transformation Committee called on participants to work as a team in coming up with realistic issues that will lift the state in its current position of Public Financial Management.
He also assured the State Government’s readiness to sustain all activities supported by USAID even after the project expiration in Sokoto State.
The Director while commending the NGO for supporting the state in reviewing some of its policies and financial guidelines as well as building numerous Stakeholders’ capacity in Public Financial Management, said their capacity-building support has put the state in the parameter of those states that contextualized their State budget with that of the National Chart of Account.
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Also Speaking, the USAID State2State Deputy Chief of Party, Mr. Stanley Achonu said the workshop brought relevant Stakeholders, Civil Society Organization Leaders to develop the fifth-year programme activities for continued support to the State and ensure its sustainability even after the project expiration.
Mr Stanley said the State2State project already spent four years in Sokoto and expected to roundup in 2025 explaining that they have supported several institutions in Public Financial Management, engaged citizens in Conflict Litigations, and tackled issues related to Gender and Social inclusions.
He said State2State is leveraging efforts to ensure the sustainability of the reforms that have been achieved while calling on the State transformation committee to advise the Government on the relevant steps that need to be taken in that regard.
He noted that a lot of reforms have been made in budget processing, citizens participation, and procurement hoping that the state will sustain them and improve on the progress made so far.
He also applauds their remarkable progress on gender and social inclusion among many others.
The 3-days workshop featured presentations, group work, and knowledge-sharing sessions to draw inputs into the year 5 work plan.
The workshop had in attendance state officials from the Ministries of Budget, Finance, Health, Education, Information, Water Resources, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, State House of Assembly members, Internal Revenue Service, CSOs, and OGP representatives.
Others include USAID State2State Staff in attendance include the Team Lead, Sokoto, Dr. Abdulkadir Aminu Ladan, the Public Financial Management Specialist, Mr. Kenny Oleru, CE/CB Consultant, Mr. Stephen John and Communication Specialist, Mr. Israel Onu Odiba among Others.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE