Abia assures citizens’ needs will shape 2026 budget
The Abia State government has assured its citizens that their inputs, rather than the preferences of the elites, will shape the 2026 budget proposals.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Kingsley Anosike, gave the assurance on Friday during a citizens’ engagement forum to prepare Abia’s 2026 budget.
He explained that residents drawn from different communities, civil society organisations, and government agencies were invited to articulate their needs for the forthcoming budget, stressing that their inputs would be reflected in the plans.
“We build the budget from the ground, not the other way round.
“The budget is meant to be citizens’ budget, it is supposed to be a budget that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the people, not the preference of the elites,” Anosike said.
He recalled that citizens’ contributions in 2024 influenced the 2025 Abia State budget by about five per cent and, therefore, urged residents to prioritise their most pressing needs.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, commended Governor Alex Otti for tackling insecurity and providing agricultural inputs to farmers.
Eze Mbah called for increased budgetary allocations to agriculture and community security initiatives, as well as more medical personnel in rural areas. He further emphasised that engaging youths in agriculture would contribute to addressing insecurity across the country.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Planning, Eric Egwuibe, also assured citizens that their inputs would be considered before the 2026 budget proposal is finalised and presented.
Abia assures citizens’ needs will shape 2026 budget
