NewsNigeriaRural DevelopmentCitizen Engagement: Adamawa State Government To Revitalize Extension Services

By Hassan Umar Shallpella, News Correspondent

To carry citizens alone in governance, Adamawa State Government has organized a town hall meeting tagged “Citizens Engagement Programme” on the 2021 budget aimed at deliberating on the proposed capital expenditure of the budget.

The meeting held at Banquet Hall Government House Yola drew participants from civil society organizations, the academia, traditional and religious leaders, youths and women groups among others.

Responding to questions raised by some of the participants, Governor Ahmadu Umaru said his administration intends to revitalize extension services, while stringent measures have been put in place that will discourage deforestation, as it key into the Federal Government programme of planting one million trees yearly  in the next three years.

“This administration will continue to reflect the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry while the government will remain focused, maintain decorum and work for the overall interest of the citizenry”. He added

Fintiri stated that 98% of the contracts awarded by his administration in the state were given to indigenous contractors.

“People wishing to be contractors should register and participate in any contract that can be awarded locally such as construction of primary Healthcare clinics, classrooms and rural roads among others”. He said

The Governor revealed that his administration inherited a lot of challenges, but assured that government will prioritize welfare of disabled persons, rehabilitate and improve the services of two Sexual Assault Referral Centres and remand home in the state.

Fintiri revealed that the government has set aside substantial funds in the 2021 budget on youth empowerment to reduce restiveness.

Earlier in his remark, Commissioner of Finance and Budget Dr. Ishaya Dabari explained that 2021budget is geared towards sustaining gains recorded in the preceding year while the government has ventured into informal sectors to improve internally generated revenue.

In her contribution, Executive Chairman Adamawa State Planning Commission Dr. Mary Paninga gave an overview of the current budget performance and highlighted capital components of the 2021 proposed budget.