IT is important for citizens to be fully informed about the budget as funds allocated are the public’s money and not the Government’s, says European Union ambassador to Fiji and Pacific Sujiro Seam.
He made the comment during the Strengthening of Public Finance Management and Governance in the Pacific Project workshop last week.
“There is no such thing as Government’s money, it’s all taxpayers’ money so taxpayers and citizens must be involved in the process of deciding what the priorities are and how the spendings are decided in the budget,” he said.
He said the participation of citizens in the budget process would allow better contribution to priority areas allocated in the budget.
“Public participation gives rise to increased awareness among citizens, exchange of better information and they are in a better position to contribute to the public debate on the budget.
“The better the people are informed, the better they can contribute to the identification of what the priorities would be.”
He said it was important for citizens’ participation so they could understand the allocation of funding.
“Taxpayers who are also citizens must be involved in how the spendings are decided so they can understand what benefits they can derive from it.”
