Group Seeks Financial Transparency In Jigawa Local Govts

The Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative (DRDI–DAG) has called for strengthened fiscal transparency and improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to enhance budget performance and foster inclusive citizen participation across the 27 local government areas of Jigawa State.

The call was made in a press statement signed by the group’s executive director, Dr Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya.

Dr Yahaya said, findings from the group’s comprehensive research on Local Government Budget Performance, Fiscal Transparency, and Citizen Participation (2020–2024) revealed that most local councils remain heavily dependent on external funds, with 94-100 per cent of their total revenue sourced from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

He expressed deep concern over this trend, warning that without reviewing the aspiration for sustainable social and economic development, the councils would remain a mirage.

“For any society to develop, it must carefully design and build realistic, resilient revenue sources by utilising all areas of comparative economic advantage,” Dr Mustapha said.

He maintained that fiscal planning must be transparent, address key infrastructure deficits, empower people with an enabling environment for business, and create jobs for greater wealth generation.

The director added that the group suggested that each local government should convene experts, civil society organisations and community stakeholders to strategise on improving IGR without undermining productivity.

“We also recommended establishing a State-LGA Joint Technical Committee for fiscal oversight, strengthening public participation, and institutionalising access to budget tracking and performance assessment.

“LGAs need to strengthen their Grants Management Units, increase Capital Development Funds, boost social sector allocation, and launch an Emergency Revenue Diversification Initiative for greater efficiency,” Dr Mustapha added.

He further called on development partners to support capacity-building programs in revenue and project management, fund digital governance initiatives, and sponsor peer-learning exchanges with model LGAs in other states.

According to the group, the fiscal challenges facing Jigawa’s LGAs are surmountable with deliberate reforms, transparent governance and inclusive citizen participation.