Citizens Speak, Government Listens: Enugu Deepens Participatory Governance

The Enugu State Government, through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, has taken another bold step toward inclusive governance by organizing a one-day Citizens’ Engagement Forum, a platform that enabled residents across the state to express their views, needs, and expectations from government. The initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen’s voice counts in shaping the state’s policies, programs, and priorities.

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Representing the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Chris-Roberts Ozongwu, reaffirmed that the present administration is deeply committed to people-centered and participatory governance. He noted that Governor Mbah’s vision for Enugu State is evident in the massive infrastructure renewal currently transforming the landscape, from modern roads and smart schools to innovative healthcare and technology-driven service delivery.
He further emphasized that the Citizens’ Engagement Forum is part of the government’s effort to institutionalize accountability and inclusiveness in the budgeting process, saying that “the budget is not merely a statement of figures but a statement of purpose, a reflection of our collective aspirations and a reaffirmation of the social contract between the government and the good people of Enugu State.”

The interactive session brought together a wide range of critical stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Mrs Clara Nwakaego Eze, the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu; the Representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Very Rev. Fr. Benjamin Eze; the Chairman, Civil Society Organizations, Barr. Cromwell Chibuzor; the Chairman, Persons with Disabilities, Comrade Onyebuchi Mba; the Chairman of the Presidents-General Forum, Hon. Arinze Nnia Ogbodo; the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka; representatives of the TUC, youth leaders, the Umu Ada Igbo Group, and the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), among many others.

Speaking during the event, HRM Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu commended Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his visionary leadership and outstanding achievements, describing last year’s budget as monumental. He humorously remarked that “if tomorrow is here, then next tomorrow is already here,” in recognition of the governor’s pace of transformation across sectors. The royal father further emphasized the need for greater inclusivity in the forthcoming 2026 Budget and urged citizens to prepare ahead of the next general election by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), adding that “Dr. Peter Mbah can only continue the good works if given the chance to do more.”

Participants at the forum applauded the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, especially the education and innovation policies that empower persons with disabilities to acquire relevant skills and contribute meaningfully to the state’s development.

At the end of the engagement, citizens expressed gratitude to the governor for his transformational leadership and made valuable inputs on what they expect to see reflected in the next budget cycle. The event reinforced confidence in the Mbah administration’s vision of building an inclusive, accountable, and people-driven Enugu State — where governance truly begins and ends with the people.