By Adama Makasuba
Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in collaboration with International Republican Institute Friday launched the citizen’s budget at Kairaba hotel.
The launching brought together government officials and civil society organization, seeks to bring the understanding of the budget to the level of every citizen in and out of the country.
In his opening remarks, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mamoury Njie, said the citizen’s budget would help citizens to participate in the budget process and ensure transparency and accountability is done.
“Citizen’s engagement in the budget process creates an opportunity to give a voice to citizens to able them to participate as inform stakeholders. It also create avenue to hold government accountable for public spending which in turn makes the government more transparent,” he said.
Mr Njie added: “It is also intended to stimulate discussion on stakeholders engagement can be strengthen to ensure the budget process is more participatory and transparency is enhance.”
Hon. Sidia Jatta, National Assembly Member for Wuli West, described the launch as important, adding “it is meant to put those who put money in our coffers to understand the essence of its own.”
He said: “Once people understand the essence of budget they will be encouraged to pay money because is that money that gives us what we wanted but people must understand why we are paying taxes and provide the sources of revenue for the country.”
For her part, Robina Namusis, resident program director of International Republican Institute, expressed delight about the launch of citizen’s budget, adding that IRI has been working with the civil society organization in the country on many issues like voter participation.
“We have been working on the issues of inclusivity and participatory of citizens in the defect aspect of the government,” she said.
Meanwhile, citizens are never included in the making process of The Gambia’s budget and now would the launch of this new citizen’s budget make a change?
