text: The Enugu State Government through the Ministry of Budget and Planning day held a 1-day Citizens’ Engagement Programme on the 2021 Draft Budget on the 7th December, 2020 at Nike Lake Resort Hotel by 12 noon.
  The programme started with the arrival and registration of invitees at about 10.30am with all COVID-19 protocols duly observed. The Citizens’ friendly Governor of Enugu state; Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was ably represented by Deputy Governor of the state; Her Excellency Mrs. Cecelia Ezeilo.
  Other dignitaries at the event were the Hon. Commissioner of the Host Ministry; Dr. David O. Ugwunta, the Honourable Commissioners for Finance; Mrs Adaonah Kene-Uyanwunne, Health; Ass. Prof. Ikechukwu Obi, Works and Infrastructure; Engr. Greg Nnaji, Labour and Productivity; Hon. Uchechukwu Ogbonna and a host of others.
  Also in attendance were the Special adviser to the Governor on Small and Medium Enterprises; Hon. Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Permanent Secretaries for the Ministry of Budget and Planning; Sir K.C Ugwu, Ministry of Information; Mr. Christian Mba, Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development; Mrs. Chinwe Laurentia Anibueze, Ministry of Science and Technology; Mr. Chukwudi Charles Maduekwe and others.
  Other Groups in attendance were Traditional Rulers, Town Union Executives, Civil Society Organisations, Youth Organisations and the Women Group.
  In her address, the Deputy Governor Her Excellency Mrs. Cecelia Ezeilo reiterated the Administration’s interest in carrying its citizenry along in the developmental strides and running of government in other to foster good governance.
  On his own part, the Hon. Commissioner for Budget and Planning; Hon. Dr. David O. Ugwunta in his welcome address appreciated the participants for honouring the Government’s calls to air their views for inclusion in the state’s 2021 Budget. He equally gave a report of the year 2020 Budget performance so far while listing some projects done by ‘This Citizens’ Inclusive Government’ viz: Building of Type 3 Hospitals targeted at all the 17 local government in the state, the conversion/ upgrade of the former Colliery Hospital to Enugu State Infectious Disease Hospital with infrastructural development put up to meet world standard, the construction of the Adoration By-pass among others.
  The Permanent Secretary of budget and Planning; Sir K.C Ugwu explained the essence of the gathering as an avenue for the government to gather its citizens and hear them out as regards their communal needs so that government’s revenue can be properly and adequately allocated for the general wellbeing of her citizens.
  In response to that call, a wide range of inputs were gathered from the participants present as moderated by Hon Commissioner for Health; Ass. Prof. Ikechukwu Obi.
  The participants expressed delight for being carried along in the drafting of the State’s Budget for 2021 and equally pledged their unalloyed support for the Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration.
  #Enugu State is truly in the hands of God!