The Sokoto State Government has announced plans to regularly engage traditional rulers to ensure that projects implemented by development partners reflect the actual needs and priorities of local communities.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Dr Bashir Muhammad Achida, disclosed this during the 2027 Budget Town Hall Discussion for the Sokoto East Senatorial District, held in Wurno Local Government Area.
Achida explained that the initiative would be coordinated by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Development to improve collaboration with traditional institutions, ensure effective targeting of development interventions and prevent duplication of projects.
According to him, the government is committed to ensuring that development partners address genuine community needs rather than implementing projects that may not reflect local priorities.
He added that Governor Ahmed Aliyu had restructured the ministry to strengthen its capacity to coordinate development partners and support the state’s economic growth.
The commissioner also described the town hall meetings as an important platform for citizens to participate in the budget preparation process by identifying pressing needs and making recommendations for government consideration.
He commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the European Union for supporting the state’s budget consultation exercise.
Speaking at the event, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Buhari Umar, urged participants to present priority projects and interventions that would improve the welfare of residents in their respective communities.
Umar expressed satisfaction with the participation of traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups, women’s groups and persons with disabilities.
He disclosed that the government would organise a grand finale to consolidate submissions from the consultations and gather further recommendations before the proposed 2027 budget is forwarded to the state executive for consideration.
Similarly, the Sokoto State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Abba Shehu Tambuwal, praised the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to ensure that the state’s budget reflects the aspirations of its people.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Wurno, Alhaji Kabiru Chigari Alhassan, also appreciated the government for recognising the importance of traditional institutions in governance and community development.
Earlier, the Chairman of Wurno Local Government Area, Alhaji Abba Isah Sadiq Achida, commended the state government for executing development projects across local government areas.
The consultation forms part of Sokoto State’s preparations for the 2027 budget, with the government seeking broader stakeholder participation to ensure that public spending addresses the needs of communities across the state.
