The Sokoto State Government has announced plans to periodically engage traditional rulers to identify community priorities and ensure development partners’ interventions address the actual needs of the people.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Dr. Bashir Muhammad Achida, disclosed this at the 2027 Budget Town Hall Discussion for Sokoto East Senatorial District held in Wurno Local Government Area.
Achida said the engagements would be coordinated through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Development, which oversees economic development and coordinates the activities of development partners in the state.
He explained that the initiative was designed to align development interventions with community needs, prevent duplication of projects and eliminate misplaced priorities.
The commissioner added that Governor Ahmed Aliyu had revamped the ministry to strengthen its capacity to deliver on its mandate.
Describing the budget town hall meetings as a significant part of the budget preparation process, Achida said they provided an opportunity for citizens to contribute directly to the formulation of the state’s 2027 budget.
He also commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the European Union for supporting the participatory budgeting initiative.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Buhari Umar, urged participants to articulate the needs of their communities clearly for consideration in the budget process.
Umar expressed satisfaction with the turnout and active participation of traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations, youths, women and persons with disabilities.
He announced plans for a grand finale at which submissions from the various town hall meetings would be presented, while additional contributions would be sought to refine the proposals before a draft 2027 budget is submitted to the state executive for consideration.
The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Sokoto State and Chairman of Tambuwal Local Government Area, Abba Shehu Tambuwal, praised Governor Aliyu for approving the initiative, describing it as a demonstration of foresight in involving citizens in budget planning.
In a goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Wurno, Kabiru Chigari Alhassan, commended the state government for recognising the role of traditional institutions.
Earlier, the Chairman of Wurno Local Government Area, Abba Isah Sadiq Achida, thanked the state government for executing development projects across local government areas.
Other speakers included the Special Adviser on Economic Planning, Abdullahi Ango Jabo; chairmen of local government areas in the Eastern Zone; and representatives of women and persons with disabilities, who also participated in the consultations.
