The Enugu State Ministry of Budget and Planning has organized a one-day training workshop aimed at strengthening the preparation and implementation process for the 2026 budget. The event, which brought together representatives from all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), was convened to enhance participants’ capacity for credible and efficient budgeting in line with government priorities.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Barr. Chris-Roberts Ozongwu, emphasized that the budget goes beyond being a financial statement, describing it as “the central tool for translating government priorities into deliverable programs.” He noted that the quality of any budget depends largely on the thoroughness of its preparation and the discipline of its implementation, which require proper planning, credible data, and sound capacity.
According to him, the theme of the workshop, “Strengthening Budget Preparation and Implementation Process,” reflects the need to ensure that the 2026 budget is realistic and implementable. He stated that the training is designed to equip participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to deliver a transparent, participatory, and results-oriented budget that advances sustainable development.
Mrs. Clara Nwakaego Eze, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning Enugu State, stressed the need for MDAs to operate within their approved budget ceilings and ensure that capital expenditure proposals align with the state’s development agenda and Medium-Term Sector Plans. She advised MDAs to prepare implementation plans and memos that clearly reflect the Governor’s mandate, and urged those with Committees on Food and Nutrition to incorporate relevant programs in their budgets.
Mrs. Okenwa Ndidiamaka, Head of Budget Department, introduced participants to the 2026 call circular, explaining the approved templates and formats for revenue and expenditure proposals. She urged MDAs to strictly adhere to these formats and access the soft copies from the Ministry’s official website.
Mr. Nnaemeka Agu, Technical Officer, guided participants on the application of Microsoft Excel in budget preparation, demonstrating how to perform calculations accurately to avoid errors.
Mrs. Nonye Nwodo from the Economic Planning Commission delivered a session on capital budget guidelines and procedures. She explained that capital projects should be derived from the State Development Plan, Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), and Medium-Term Sector Strategies (MTSS). She emphasized the importance of multi-year costing for projects that cannot be completed within a single fiscal year and cautioned against under-budgeting or inflating costs.
According to her, “An effective capital budget is not just a financial plan but also the backbone of sustainable development and service delivery.”
The workshop concluded with an interactive session, during which participants asked questions and received clarifications on various aspects of the budget preparation process.