The Sokoto State Government has announced plans to periodically engage traditional rulers in identifying community development priorities and coordinating interventions by development partners to prevent duplication of projects and ensure resources address the needs of residents.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Dr. Bashir Muhammad Achida said this at the 2027 Budget Town Hall Discussion for Sokoto East Senatorial District, held in Wurno Local Government Area.
Achida said the Ministry of Budget and Economic Development would coordinate the engagements to ensure that development partners’ projects address identified needs, avoid duplication and prevent the misallocation of resources.
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He said the state government had strengthened the ministry to improve its capacity to coordinate development interventions and support economic planning.
The commissioner described the town hall meetings as an important part of the budget preparation process, providing citizens with an opportunity to contribute to decisions on public spending and development priorities.
He commended UNICEF and the European Union for supporting the initiative.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Buhari Umar, urged participants to clearly articulate their communities’ needs for consideration in the proposed 2027 budget.
Umar expressed satisfaction with the participation of traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations, youths, women and persons with disabilities.
He announced plans for a grand finale where submissions from the various town hall meetings would be presented and additional contributions received to refine the draft budget before submission to the state executive for consideration.
The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abba Shehu Tambuwal, said the initiative would provide an avenue for citizens to contribute to the state’s development planning.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by the District Head of Wurno, Alhaji Kabiru Chigari Alhassan, commended the state government for recognising the role of traditional institutions.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Wurno Local Government Area, Alhaji Abba Isah Sadiq Achida, thanked the state government for projects executed across the local government areas.
He assured his administration continued support to ensure meaningful projects were delivered to the citizens as more dividend of democracy.
Other participants included the Special Adviser on Economic Planning, Alhaji Abdullahi Ango Jabo, local government chairmen from the eastern zone, and representatives of women and persons with disabilities.
