By Yunusa Isa, Gombe

YouthGovTracka has appealed for the upward review of budgetary allocations for youths in Gombe State.

Gombe State Focal Person for YouthGovTracka Hajiya Hadiyya Usman made the appeal during an interview with newsmen in Gombe.

Hadiyya said based on the state’s 2024 budget, three billion was earmarked for the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, out of which only 18 percent is directly targeting youths.

“During our budget analysis, we found out that over three billion was allocated for Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, out of which only 500 million Naira was specifically allocated to youth initiatives which is just 18 percent of the total sum allocated to the ministry”.

Hadiyya maintained that trainings, empowerments and provision of skills acquisition centres are what directly targeted at youths, that formed the 18 percent allocated.

She said YouthGovTracka will engage youths in the state to ascertain whether the budget initiatives represent their needs, aspirations and demands, and subsequently present same to the state government together with the budget analysis for onward decisions.

Lamenting on the inability of the state’s youths to engage their representatives at the state assembly, the focal person said they shall soon meet the leadership of house, on how youths can easily engage with the members.

Speaking on the corps members serving in the state under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the focal person said the ministry’s budget has no provision for the corps members in form of allowances.

While reiterating commitments to ensure more youths inclusion in policy formulation and decision making processes in Gombe State, Hadiyya said YouthGovTracka will engage the youths ministry on how to bridge the gaps and ensure the corps members are carried along.

She added that before the first phase of the program rounds off in June, YouthGovTracka will organize an inter school debate for private and public secondary schools in the state, on governance and how to hold elected leaders accountable.

YouthGovTracka, a Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative aimed to promote accountability and transparency in governance by bridging the gaps between elected officials and the public, especially youths.

The initiative communicate youths demands and expectations to the government, while analyzing government plans for youths.