The Plateau State Government has commenced the 2027 budget preparation process with a citizens’ engagement exercise aimed at gathering priority needs from communities across the State to shape the next fiscal year’s budget.
The exercise, which began in the Southern Zone of the State, was held on Tuesday at Shendam Marriott Hotel in Shendam Local Government Area, bringing together stakeholders from the six LGAs in the zone, which are Shendam, Wase, Mikang, Qua’an Pan, Langtang North, and Langtang South.
The engagement attracted traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth groups, as well as persons with disabilities, all of whom were encouraged to contribute to the planning process to ensure inclusiveness and community-driven budget and development.
Ahead of the town hall meeting, the delegation led by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Adam Bulus Lekshak, paid a homage visit to the Long Gamai, the paramount ruler of the Gamai nation.
Speaking during the engagement, Lekshak said the initiative was designed to deepen citizens’ participation in governance through a “bottom-top approach” aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainability in government programmes.
According to him, the state government wants citizens to take ownership of the budget process by making meaningful contributions that reflect the actual needs of communities.
“It is my pleasure to inform all citizens of the State that the 2027 budget process is commencing today with this citizens’ engagement,” he said.
The Commissioner explained that the exercise would be followed by the preparation of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, submissions from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as inputs from Civil Society Organisations during bilateral discussions before the draft budget is transmitted to the State House of Assembly.
Lekshak noted that projects and programmes proposed during the exercise must align with the seven policy thrusts of the “Time is Now” administration of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
He listed the focal areas to include good governance and citizen participation, peace and security, agriculture and rural transformation, education and human capital development, healthcare and tourism, infrastructure and industrialisation, as well as taxation and investment drive.
The Commissioner further stated that Plateau State, as a member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), remains committed to fiscal transparency, open contracting, and citizen participation in budgeting and public funds management.
“Today’s town hall meeting is one of the key deliverables under our OGP State Action Plan. It ensures that budgets are not prepared behind closed doors, but are co-created with the people,” he added.
Lekshak also commended Governor Mutfwang’s administration for embarking on projects and programmes despite limited resources, citing road construction, payment of salaries, pensions, provision of subsidised fertilizers to farmers, and efforts at strengthening security across the State.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Budget Planning in the ministry, Mr. Yusuf Bot, presented a breakdown of the performance of the ongoing 2026 budget to guide citizens on the outcomes of previous engagements.
Stakeholders at the meeting were encouraged to take ownership of projects executed in their communities to ensure quality delivery and timely completion.
Civil Society Organisations were also present to monitor the exercise and ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainability throughout the budget engagement process.
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