Workshop to Lay Groundwork for Effective Budget Planning and Implementation in Kano State" - News Panorama

By; Zakari Haruna, Kaduna 

The Kano State Ministry of Planning and Budget has organized a two-day workshop in Kaduna to develop the 2025-2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP). The event, which began today, brings together stakeholders from various sectors to enhance their understanding of the budget planning process for the upcoming fiscal years and to review the state's half-year budget performance for 2024.

In his opening remarks, Honourable Musa Suleiman Shanono, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Planning and Budget, welcomed distinguished guests, including the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, development partners, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders.

Shanono stressed the workshop's importance in providing a comprehensive understanding of Kano State's economic and fiscal outlook. "This workshop on the 2025-2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is designed to provide economic and fiscal analysis, sensitizing participants on the 2025 budget planning process and reviewing the 2024 half-year budget performance," he stated. "It will also help identify critical factors affecting the budget process to ensure proper implementation."

He explained that the MTEF is a crucial planning tool over a three-year period, focusing on estimating the government's aggregate resources and their strategic allocation to meet Kano State's economic, social, and developmental goals. 

"The Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU) evaluates budget performance over time, highlighting key factors influencing the implementation regarding government revenue and expenditure," Shanono explained. "In contrast, the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) outlines the fiscal outlook for funding government projects and programs aligned with the administration's budget policy."

Shanono underscored the workshop's role in strengthening budget realism in compliance with the Public Financial Management Law. He noted that the state's commitment to delivering effective services to its citizens is demonstrated through its development plans, sector plans, and annual budgets. 

He stressed the importance of collaboration among the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches, as well as public consultations, advocacy, monitoring, and feedback, in shaping these strategies.

Reflecting on the administration's commitment to financial transparency and accountability, Shanono said, "Our gathering here is a historic engagement to reiterate the administration's commitment under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to adopting public financial management reforms."

The Commissioner expressed his gratitude to Governor Yusuf for approving the workshop despite the prevailing economic challenges and short notice. "This decision reaffirms His Excellency's dedication to the service and welfare of the people of Kano State," he added.

The workshop aims to serve as a platform for peer learning, technical guidance, and collaborative discussions among participants. It seeks to craft a realistic and sustainable fiscal framework that aligns with Kano State's development objectives, addressing current economic challenges and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

The event is expected to lay the groundwork for more effective budget planning and implementation in the coming years, ensuring that Kano State's fiscal policies are responsive to its developmental needs and economic realities.