Bauchi Assembly Approves N174bn For 20 LGAs

The Bauchi State House of Assembly has approved a consolidated 2025 budget estimate of N174.02 billion for the 20 local government councils in the state.

Out of the total sum, N110.08 billion (63%) is allocated for recurrent expenditure, while N64.03 billion (37%) is earmarked for capital expenditure.

The passage of the budget followed the presentation of a report by the Joint House Committee on Appropriation and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during plenary presided by speaker Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Sulaiman, on Thursday.

In its report, the committee recommended that the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in collaboration with the 20 local government areas, should organise quarterly capacity-building training for budget officers on IPSAS-compliant budget preparation techniques.

The committee also urged that future budgets prioritise capital projects to foster socio-economic development in line with global best practices.

It also emphasised the need for local governments to develop and implement robust revenue-generation strategies to enhance their internally generated revenue (IGR).

Furthermore, the report stressed the importance of establishing a framework for regular monitoring and evaluation of financial activities in the local councils.

Speaking with journalists, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Mohammed Wanzam (representing Sakwa Constituency), said the committee engaged with all relevant stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, executive chairmen of the 20 LGAs.

Others that the committee engaged are directors of budget, planning, revenue, and finance to gather inputs that ensured the budget’s accuracy and alignment with the state’s fiscal priorities.

On the other hand, the member representing Ganjuwa East Constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Dayyabu Ladan Mohammed, appealed to the state government to create a district in his constituency under the Bauchi Emirate Council.

Ladan explained that Ganjuwa East was established as a constituency during the First Republic under the administration of late President Shehu Shagari and former Bauchi State Governor, late Abubakar Tatari Ali.

He noted, however, that it remains the only one among the 31 constituencies in the state without a district.

He argued that the constituency meets all necessary criteria including historical relevance, cultural identity, demographic size, and economic viability to qualify as a district under the Bauchi Emirate Council.

According to him, creating the district would help bring governance closer to the people, strengthen traditional institutions, and foster peace, unity, and development in the area.

He therefore urged relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to initiate the required administrative, legal, and logistical processes for formalising the establishment of the district.

Also during plenary, the member representing Darazo Constituency, Builder Sa’idu Sulaiman Darazo, called on the state government to provide relief materials and temporary shelter to victims of a windstorm that recently struck Unguwar Gabas, on the outskirts of Darazo town.

Raising the matter under urgent public importance, Hon. Darazo said the windstorm destroyed over 50 houses, forcing affected residents to seek refuge in neighboring communities.

He appealed to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assess the extent of the damage and provide timely humanitarian assistance to the displaced households.

In his ruling, speaker Abubakar Y. Sulaiman, directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the resolutions to the executive arm of government for prompt action.