Sokoto Opens 2027 Budget Town Halls, Asks Residents to Speak Up

The Sokoto State Government has called on residents to take an active part in its 2027 budget town hall meetings, saying their priority needs should guide how the state spends money and chooses development projects.

 

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Bashir Achida, made the appeal on Wednesday in Bodinga Local Government Area, where his ministry launched the 2027 zonal budget discussion for the southern part of the state.

 

Achida said the initiative was in line with Gov. Ahmed Aliyu's policy of inclusive and transparent governance, which gives citizens a say in the government's development projects.

 

He said last year's consultations had produced positive results. According to the commissioner, most of the community demands captured in the 2026 budget have either been implemented or are at advanced stages of completion ahead of the end of the year.

 

Achida also announced that the 2027 budget town hall meetings would be extended to local government areas, so that residents could present their priority needs directly to the government more easily.

 

The Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala-Bodinga, described the initiative as complementary to the work of lawmakers.

 

The speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Abubakar Shehu-Shamaki, the member representing Yabo Constituency, commended the executive for its commitment to implementing the 2026 budget. He also pledged that the legislature would act promptly on the proposed 2027 budget.

 

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Buhari Umar, said citizens' participation in preparing the budget was essential to inclusiveness, transparency and public ownership of government policies.

 

He assured participants that their submissions at the meeting would be useful in the budget preparation process.

 

The Chairman of the Sokoto State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Abba Shehu-Tambuwal, described the town hall as an opportunity for residents to tell the government directly what they need done.

 

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, who was represented by the District Head of Sifawa, Alhaji Abdullahi Sa'idu, assured the government of the support of traditional rulers in its efforts to improve residents' welfare.

 

In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Mr Bello Gwadabawa, urged participants to identify and present the most pressing needs of their communities.

 

The participants included Dr Nafisa Gurori, who represented women's groups, and Malam Murtala Bala, who represented persons living with disabilities, as well as traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders.