By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has commenced bilateral discussions with ministries departments and agencies for the 2026 budget.
Declaring the meeting open, the State’s Commissioner Budget and Economic Planning Alhaji Salihu Baba Alƙali said the 2026 budget is program based.
“We want to come up with a budget for the people. Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya wants to continue improving the lives of the citizens of Gombe State particularly youths, women and children. Therefore this year, there’s slightly a change in the way budget is being prepared; we are implementing the PBB, that’s Program Based Budget”.
He said MDAs submissions must be analyzed to ensure they align with the needs of the people and the guidelines issued, maintaining that “Using that, we expect to come up with a budget that is for the people and in the best interest of the people of the state”.
Baba Alƙali noted that the meeting will first analyze government priorities for the upcoming year, and scrutinize whether the MDAs have aligned with the 2025 Budget Call Circular Guidelines, and ensure an effective production of error-free 2026 budget.
While noting that the submissions must align with the state’s development plan (DEVAGOM), the commissioner charged the MDAs to critically scrutinize their submissions and ensure they are priorities of the people and the government.
He encouraged the MDAs to focus on maximizing revenue generation, noting that revenues are the basis upon which viable budget is built.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director Budgeting in the ministry Muhammad Adamu, said the meeting will facilitate submissions in tandem with public interest and government policies to achieve desired results.
He noted that the approach will focus on sustainable budgeting, reducing debt and increasing revenues.
The 2026 budget bilateral discussion began with two agencies; the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, and its Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board counterpart.