Sokoto To Engage Traditional Rulers On Development Interventions

The Sokoto State Government said it will periodically engage traditional rulers to identify priority needs of their communities for development interventions by partners working in the state.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Bashir Muhammad Achida, stated this on Friday at the 2027 Budget Town Hall meeting held in Wurno local government area for Sokoto East Senatorial District.

Achida said the engagement will be coordinated through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which is responsible for the development of the state economy and coordinating activities of development partners.

He explained that the initiative is to ensure that development interventions align with the actual needs of target communities and to avoid duplication and misplaced priorities.

According to him, the ministry has been revamped by Governor Ahmed Aliyu to effectively deliver on its mandate.

The commissioner described the town hall meetings as momentous, noting that citizens’ inputs are critical to the budget process, and commended UNICEF and the European Union for their support.

In his remarks, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Buhari Umar, urged participants to present the needs of their communities for consideration.

He expressed delight over the massive turnout of traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations, youths, women and persons with disabilities.

He said a grand finale will be organised to showcase all articulated views and seek additional inputs to fine-tune the draft 2027 budget before presentation to the executive council.

The ALGON chairman and chairman of Tambuwal local government area, Alhaji Abba Shehu Tambuwal, commended Governor Aliyu for approving the town hall initiative.

In his goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Wurno, Alhaji Kabiru Chigari Alhassan, appreciated the state government for recognising traditional institutions.

Earlier, the chairman of Wurno local government, Alhaji Abba Isah Sadiq Achida, thanked the state government for executing projects across local government areas in the state.