Kogi 2022 Budget, for Consumption, not Development—CHRCR, Strategic Partners.
Strategic stakeholders at a one day meetings of Civil Society Organisations, and the Media, organised by Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution CHRCR has described the 2022 budget as good only for consumption , negating the infrastructural development of the state.
The Meeting which was held at Halims Hotels Lokoja, on Thursday, with the Theme”Prioritising Anti Corruption and Accountability issues for the 2023 General election, decried the budget as being skewed toward recurrent and overhead without adequate consideration to capital expenditures.
This is just as the stakeholders took a swipe at the Kogi state independent Electoral commission for not releasing the results of the Local Government election, it had conducted on the 12th December 2020, despite the declared winners had been inaugurated on the 14th December 2020.
In a Communique signed by the Executive Director Conscience for Human Rights and Conflicts Resolutions, Comr. Idris Abdul Miliki, at the end of the workshop and made available to Treasuretimes on Thursday in Lokoja, made the following observations that will reinforce the need for anti corruption and accountability deficit in the state.
The Communique noted that the interactive meeting had in attendance selected Civil Society Organizations, Human Rights Activist, Media Organizations, representatives of Women and Youth Groups, faith based Organizations and professional Associations.
The meeting featured facilitated presentations on the overview of the project on fighting Anti-Corruption and Accountability, Panel Discussion on Stakeholders strategies for moving the campaign forward, Discussions on Development of Community Charter of Demand, Question and Answer sessions and Communique development.
” That there has been increased reportage and activities on Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Accountability in Elections and Governance by the CSOs and the Media.
“That despite some short comings, the Kogi State Government has conducted elections into the Local government councils.
“That however since that elections on the 12th December 2020, the results of the elections has not been released by the State Independent Electoral Commission despite the declared winners been inaugurated since 14th December 2020.
“That the 2022 Kogi State Budget Estimates is heavy on the Recurrent Expenditure rather than capital Expenditure which is needed for Infrastructure development.
“That despite promises and the call on the State House of Assembly, there was still no Public Hearing on the 2022 Budget Estimates, as there is a clear difference between Budget defense and Public Hearing, which is currently on going.
” That there were several Civil Society Organizations and Media practitioners, who are not transparent in their actions and utterances which encourages corruption”
While calling for improved intervention and mainstreaming of Anti Corruption by Civil Societies, urged Kosiec to publish the last LG election for accurate documentation.
It also charged kogi state House of Assembly to restructure the 2022 Budget to reflect Capital projects for infrastructure Development.
Just as it said there must be a need for Public Hearing in Appropriation law making to provide Citizens the opportunity to make inputs and engage the State Budgetary making process.
The Communique however charged the Civil Society and the Media to continuously engage on issues on Anti-Corruption and Accountability on all ramification in the society particularly at State level.
