By Emma Black

The Koidu New Sembehun City Council (KNSCC) convened its bilateral budget discussions for the Fiscal Year 2026 on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the Council Hall. The session brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Finance, elected local council representatives, departmental heads, financial staff, community leaders, advocacy groups, and concerned citizens, all contributing to the shaping of the council’s financial and developmental priorities.

In his keynote address, Mayor His Worship Komba Matthew Sam emphasized the significance of the budget discussions as a platform for inclusive engagement. He highlighted that the process enables residents and stakeholders to have a direct influence on the council’s planning and resource allocation, ensuring that the fiscal plan reflects the real needs and aspirations of the community.

“This forum demonstrates the strength of local democracy and the importance of citizen participation in shaping budgetary decisions, Mayor Sam said, we are committed to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that every allocation responds to the priorities of our people.”

During the session, participants deliberated on key budgetary allocations across sectors critical to the city’s development agenda, including health, education, infrastructure, sanitation, and social services. Presentations by departmental heads highlighted ongoing projects, gaps, and strategic initiatives, while citizens and advocacy groups raised concerns and recommendations to guide the council’s financial planning.

A major focus of the discussions was on enhancing service delivery and boosting revenue generation to support sustainable development. The council also underscored the need for continued collaboration with civil society, non-state actors, and development partners to ensure accountability and efficient use of resources.

The bilateral budget consultations, which ran throughout the day, reaffirm KNSCC’s commitment to participatory governance and the creation of a budget that is inclusive, responsive, and forward-looking. Similar engagements are planned in other districts to align local development priorities with the national Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2026–2028.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 6th October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)