Date: 2016-12-31

The Grassroots Development and Advocacy Centre has applauded the proposed 19 percent budget allocation to the health sector from Kwara State's 2017 budget proposal of N135.26billion presented to the State House of Assembly on Thursday.

The group in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Tunde Salman, sad it was a welcomed development and it will go a long way to improve the quality of healthcare services in the state if passed into law and fully implemented.

The amount proposed for capital expenditure indicates the commitment of the state government towards improving socio-economic development of the State.

The group stressed that: "There is no evidence of consultation with various stakeholders; including the civil society. It must be stressed budget is a public document that must be made accessible for the citizenry in order to make useful contribution on decisions affecting their lives."

It commended the state government to make the budget process open and participatory in order to guarantee greater transparency and accountability in the management of the state's resources.