The Anambra State Government has inaugurated a committee to coordinate the preparation of the state’s 2027 budget, with a charge to ensure that spending plans are transparent, realistic and focused on projects with measurable impact.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chukwukadibia Okoye, gave the charge on Friday during the inauguration of the 2027 Budget Committee at the ministry’s headquarters in Awka.
Okoye urged members of the committee to approach the task with dedication and a strong sense of responsibility, stressing that the annual budget remained a key instrument for converting government policies into tangible development.
He said the 2027 budget should reflect the needs of residents and support the development agenda of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.
According to him, the committee must ensure that projects are selected based on evidence, public needs and their potential developmental impact.
“We urge members to prioritise evidence-based project selection that reflects the genuine needs and aspirations of the people. Projects must be selected on merit and based on their developmental impact,” Okoye said.
The commissioner also called for early preparation, accurate costing, realistic revenue projections and improved collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies to strengthen the credibility of the budget.
He warned against inflated or duplicated projects, urging the committee to give priority to completing ongoing projects while ensuring prudent management of public funds.
“Key directives to the committee are discipline, integrity and transparency at every stage. Evidence-based projects. No inflation, no duplication. Prioritise completion of ongoing projects,” he said.
Okoye identified erosion as one of the major challenges facing the state and urged the committee to prioritise interventions capable of addressing critical needs across Anambra.
He also encouraged efforts to increase internally generated revenue, attract donor funding and ensure that available resources were allocated to areas with the greatest impact.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chinyere Nwabachili, presented the 2027 budget calendar, which outlines the stages of the budget process, from community inputs and submissions to legislative consideration and approval.
The ministry assured the committee of its support, expressing optimism that the process would produce a people-focused budget that addresses the aspirations of residents and promotes sustainable development across the state.
