Oxfam, in collaboration with Yaharakari Foundation, CRUDEN, and the Community Development and Reproductive Health Initiative (CODERHI), has trained key stakeholders in Borno and Adamawa states on translating Community Development Plans (CDPs) into actionable budgets.
The training, conducted in Biu and Kwaya Kusar Local Government Areas of Borno State and Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State, aimed to enhance the capacity of community leaders, government officials, and other stakeholders to effectively integrate community priorities into government budgeting processes.
Speaking during the workshop, Oxfam Project Coordinator, Samuel Lashon, said the initiative was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge on transforming development plans into implementable budgets at both local and state levels.
According to him, the organization had earlier facilitated inclusive consultations with community members, during which their needs, challenges, and development aspirations were documented and incorporated into Community Development Plans.
He noted that the latest training was intended to ensure those plans do not remain on paper but are translated into tangible projects through government budget allocations.
Lashon emphasized that the programme would enable stakeholders to champion community-driven development and improve service delivery by ensuring that citizens’ priorities are reflected in public spending.
He expressed satisfaction that community voices are increasingly influencing budget decisions at both grassroots and state levels, describing the process as a pathway to sustainable rural development.
Read Also: Yobe Govt Trains Journalists on Ethical Election Reporting
Lead consultant and resource person, Dr. Olayemi Olufemi of Vantage Energy Consultants Limited, said the initiative aligns with global best practices that place citizens’ needs at the centre of governance and development planning.
He explained that the workshop would empower local government officials and community representatives to effectively advocate for the inclusion of CDP priorities in state and local government budgets, thereby increasing the likelihood of legislative approval and implementation.
Participants described the training as timely and impactful. A participant from Guyuk LGA, Temau Chinero, said the workshop improved his understanding of participatory budgeting and how communities can influence government development priorities.
Similarly, Mrs. Uria Daniel praised the initiative, noting that past budgets often overlooked community needs, resulting in projects with limited local relevance.
An official of the Adamawa State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Abdulaziz Shuaibu, described the training as a vital step toward strengthening citizen participation and bringing government closer to the people through inclusive development planning.