Jubilation As Gov Namadi Signs Polling Units’ Monthly Grant Into Law

The long-awaited monthly polling unit grants have finally seen the light of day after Jigawa State Governor, His Excellency Malam Umar Namadi, signed the policy into law. The action sparked euphoria, jubilation, and excitement among the downtrodden masses in the state.

The signing of the policy has restored Jigawa State to its distinguished position of a unique system of inclusive governance, social inclusion, resource allocation, and participatory democracy.

Polling unit grants, popularly known as “Kudin Akwatu,” were first introduced in Jigawa State in 2002 to support the growth of the newly emerging rural state and its democracy. However, the policy was abolished in 2007.

Kudin Akwatu was one of the popular policies cherished by the people of Jigawa, as it gave them expanded opportunities to address and resolve minor challenges in their communities without necessarily going to the local government headquarters or the state.

The reintroduction of the policy followed the State House of Assembly passing the bill, after scrutiny and some amendments to ensure effective implementation and the achievement of desired goals.

According to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, the amended bill passed has made provision for two or more polling units to jointly use their funds to execute a particular project in the interest of the community.

Hon. Dangyatin added that the bill also specified the composition of the committee members responsible for managing the fund at every polling unit in the state.

“We have passed the bill because it has a human face and will ultimately help in achieving the 12-point agenda of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, for egalitarian development and making Jigawa State great,” Dangyatin declared.

The polling unit fund is a grant allocated to each polling unit for humanitarian support and minor renovations of public facilities such as boreholes, drainage, health facilities, and roads within the constituency.

The program was designed to bring governance closer to the people, ensure available resources for timely intervention, promote wealth creation, and support sustainable grassroots development.

Under the new policy, each polling unit will receive a monthly grant of N200,000, and the committee will retire the monthly expenditure to access the next allocation.

In his comment after signing the law, Governor Namadi stated that the Polling Unit Development Fund Law introduces a new approach to grassroots development by placing decision-making directly in the hands of communities.

“The Polling Unit Development Fund will allow members of the community in each polling unit to decide on some of the small development projects they will undertake. The government will extend funds to them directly so that they will execute those projects themselves.”

According to the governor, the initiative is designed to simplify development processes and remove bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with approvals from the local government and the state.

“The communities themselves will decide and implement what they need, and that will definitely help accelerate the process of development in our communities.”

The Chairman of the Jigawa State Coalition of Civil Society on Social Protection, Comrade Shuaibu Kafin Gana, described the law as a welcome development that would ultimately deepen democracy and give people a sense of ownership in governance.

“If a committee executes projects or jointly uses the fund to repair a borehole or any public facility, certainly they will take ownership and will protect it to the best of their ability against any vandalism. This polling unit money is a very good policy that could support sustainability,” Kafin Gana stated.

Expressing her delight over the law, Hajiya Rabi Auyo thanked Governor Namadi for reviving Kudin Akwatu (polling unit money), a tested and proven policy that delivers the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

“We people at the grassroots are very happy with this development. I am optimistic that, as soon as this policy comes into effect, you will see changes across the state. It will strengthen Governor Namadi’s transformational agenda with a more sustainable face.”

In his reaction to the law, Safiyanu Ibrahim Yandutse said the reintroduction of Kudin Akwatu will go a long way in empowering people at the grassroots to catch up with government social and economic policy.

“The money will have multiple impacts. Besides providing humanitarian support and maintenance of public facilities, it will also support the grassroots economy,” Safiyanu said.

The new policy of polling unit grants has really put a smile on the faces of Jigawa people and given them hope for more opportunities, the dividends of democracy, and sustainable growth and development.

This action has also showcased His Excellency Governor Umar Namadi’s commitment to democratic development and service to humanity through inclusive governance.