Kaduna to commence 2020 budget preparation in June – Official

Kaduna State Government will commence the preparation of its 2020 budget in June, the Director Development Aid Coordination in the state Planning and Budget Commission, Malam Salisu Lawal, has said. Lawal made this known on Wednesday at the ongoing five-day meeting to finalise the costing and development of result framework for Kaduna Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan […]

Kaduna State Government will commence the preparation of its 2020 budget in June, the Director Development Aid Coordination in the state Planning and Budget Commission, Malam Salisu Lawal, has said.

Lawal made this known on Wednesday at the ongoing five-day meeting to finalise the costing and development of result framework for Kaduna Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, holding in Zaria.

He said that the call circular for the 2020 budget would be released soon, and urged the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) working around nutrition to include nutrition activities within their budget allocation.

According to him, this will allow the state government to create the needed budget lines for nutrition specific and sensitive interventions across relevant MDAs.

“The state government is doing all it can to improve the provision of funds needed for nutrition intervention with a view to curb the scourge of malnutrition in the state.

“The 2020 budget, therefore, provides an opportunity for relevant MDAs to come up with nutrition specific and sensitive activities that will be captured in the budget for funding.

“I urge you to take this opportunity and do the needful, and we shall be there during the budget defense before the budget and estimate committee to ensure that the activities are approved for implementation.”

The director explained that the Kaduna State Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition provides the framework for addressing the problems of food and nutrition in the state.

“The plan will lay a strong foundation for a multi-sectoral approach towards improving the food and nutrition status of women and children in the state.

“This is because, winning the war against malnutrition requires a strong collaboration with development partners, the academia, media, private sector and all relevant stakeholders.

“The plan, is therefore, expected to serve as a road map for coordinated implementation of nutrition intervention by the state government and nutrition stakeholders across relevant MDAs and sectors for maximum impact.

“This step which is supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund marks another milestone in our journey towards curbing the scourge of malnutrition in our dear state to save our children from preventable death,” he added.

Also speaking, Dr Zainab Mohammed-Idris, Project Manager, Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan called on participants to make realistic budget activities for implementation in the plan in view of general shortage of funds around the country.

She added that with numerous competing demands from all sectors of the economy, it was apt to create activities that are realistic and can be funded. (NAN)