Anambra’s transformative projects will drive sustainable dev’t – Commissioner

Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka

Anambra State Government has reiterated its commitment to prioritizing transformational projects that drive sustainable development and improve the quality of life for citizens. 

The commitment was explained in Awka Thursday during a Stakeholders Consultative Forum for 2026 Budget, organized by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Speaking at the meeting, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chiamaka Nnake, noted that the state government is intentional about developing Anambra and ensuring that its annual budget works for the people.

Buttressing her point, she emphasized that the government has over 70 percent of the state’s annual budget allocated to transformational projects that align with the governor’s vision, adding that the projects are deemed priority initiatives.

“The state’s annual budget is not about volume, but about worth. We prioritize major projects that people will see and value, which account for over 70 percent of the budget. 

“Repetitive budgets have their place, but they usually account for less than 20 percent. We understand the recurring needs of communities, but priority projects can’t be compromised.

“Our focus is on projects that Ndi Anambra will see and benefit from. Whatever non-priority projects that come in, we ensure they don’t exceed 20 percent.

“We work closely with the governor, aligning our priorities with his manifesto and commitments.” 

The Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, stated that he had witnessed notable changes towards making the budget and budgeting process more organic since he took office. 

He advocated for adoption of the principle of zero budgeting that stipulates that each year’s budget should differ from the previous one, given the dynamic nature of life and shifting priorities.

“Since I became the commissioner for information, I have seen some remarkable shifts towards making a budget and budgeting considerably to be organic. 

Zero budgeting should be that no year’s budget should be like the other because things are changing. Not just in terms of priorities but the fact that life itself is dynamic.”

He urged the stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers and community President Generals to participate actively in the budgeting process and ensure that budgets produced reflect the needs of their people.

“The beautiful aspect of it is bringing critical stakeholders together and another question is to what extent are they making inputs.

“It is not just about bringing the traditional rulers here to decorate tables at the function. I expect therefore to see president generals here because they are the ones to tell you truly what their needs are.

“Let people continue to make more inputs on their areas of need because if the government is removed from the people, what it is pursuing may not really reflect precisely what people consider to be their need.

“So the needs of the people must connect with the priorities of the government and that way, the government is delivering on its vision and people they need to carry along at the same time.”

Mefor expressed his appreciation for Governor Soludo’s move to recognize town union governments, describing it as a step towards acknowledging them as a vital tier of government.

He praised Governor’s approach to budgeting in Anambra, stating that it should be sustained and further deepened. 

Traditional ruler of Olumbanasa, His Royal Highness Nwozokwe Okeke earlier stressed the importance of people-centric budgeting, suggesting that town hall meetings should be held at the local government level to prepare annual budgets. 

He complained that despite being on the throne for over 12 years, had never attended any budget preparation forum at the sub-state level and expressed dissatisfaction with the current system, where call circulars seemed like mere rituals.  

“Because of the way things are happening, the call circulars are mere rituals. In some cases, PGs and Igwes don’t agree on any project.

“In most communities, when such a document is passed, little or nothing is accepted, except either of the two acts independently, which most times, are not acceptable to the people.”

He urged the government to regularly organize capacity-building workshops and other in-house training to boost civil servants’ creativity and expertise in the budgeting process.

Stakeholders who spoke at the event advocated for the state government to prioritize projects identified by communities in their charter of demands to ensure even development of the state.

A CSO, Okey Onyeka, enlightened the forum on the reasons for the poor response in submission of the community charter of demand (CCD), which he said is the key instrument for inputing communuty needs into the budget.

“The poor response was because the community demands were neither reflected in the budget in a manner that it could be recognised by communities nor largely traced to implemented activities of the government.

He proposed that CCD should be tagged on budget lines that contain community demands to enable communities to recognise it and monitor the implications. 

Earlier, Ezechukwu Chioma, Acting Director, and Dr. Chinedu Nwankwo, Assistant Chief Planning Officer, both from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, led sessions on citizens’ priorities and expectations, as well as the budget call circulars process. Mrs. Christy Akabua presented an overview of the 2026 budget preparation process and fiscal outlook.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Chinyere Nwabachili said the program is crucial to understanding roles and responsibilities in the budgeting process. 

She added that the input of stakeholders will help prioritize community needs and strengthen democratic governance through active collaboration and engagement towards making the 2026 budget a success.