Ochor seeks community unions’ inputs in future budget preparation

By Unue Emeka,

Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and the lawmaker representing Ukwuani State Constituency, Rt. Hon Christopher Ochor Ochor in a bid to attract development to his people has adopted the “Bottom-Up” approach in budget preparation.

 

This involves getting inputs from the communities and constituent in drawing up physical and socio development projects for the area in the 2021 budget cycle.

 

This approach was unveiled at a meeting he convened on Saturday, May 23, 2020, to seek for the partnership with the communities in the preparation of the state budget for the fiscal year 2021, through the office of the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

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Speaking during the meeting with the representatives of the 9 clans of the local government area, represented by their President Generals and Secretaries, the Hon Ochor reminded them of the need to ensure that peace reigns at all-time in the communities because it’s the only panacea for development.

 

He stated further that for even development to take place in Ukwuani communities, they have to be involved in the fiscal planning by supplying information on the urgent needs of their people in order to help those involved in budget processes, asking them to submit such information to his office.

 

Responding on behalf of the Community Development Union leaders, Chief Monday Esimike thanked the Deputy Speaker for the initiative aimed at involving the communities through the development unions in budgeting; pledging to work with him and all other governments’ agencies in order to move the local government to an enviable position.

 

The communities that made up the Ukwuani Local Government Area are, Akoku, Amai, Ebedei, Eziokpor, Ezionum, Umuaja, Umuebu, Umukwata, and Umutu.

 

Other stakeholders in the local government present include; Dr Samuel Ossai, Commissioner in the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Monday Ossai, Chief Chikem Daphey, both SSA to the Governor on Community Relation, Chief Olise, Past President General of Ukwuani Foundation Union, Mr Orji Morley, SSA to the Governor and many others.