Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, has restated his administration’s commitment to preparing and executing budgets that are people-oriented, inclusive, and responsive to real-life needs.

Radda stated this on Friday during a ward-level town hall meeting on needs assessment and citizens’ demand collection in preparation for the formulation of the 2026 budget.

Represented by his deputy, Faruk Lawal, the governor stated that a major way to ensure people-oriented budgets is through consultations with the people on their needs, which are then reflected in the annual budget.

He said the town hall meetings aim to collate the needs of the people and include them during the formulation of the 2026 budget estimate.

He said the town hall meetings, taking place across the state’s 361 wards, reaffirm the government’s commitment to inclusive governance, citizen participation, and community-driven development (CDD).

He said his administration believes that the best ideas for development often come from the people, as they live with the realities the government seeks to transform.

Radda said the town hall meetings “are more than consultation, they are part of a broader vision to deepen democratic governance, promote accountability, and ensure that our budget reflects the actual needs of our communities.

“We are here to listen and to collaborate towards building a stronger and more virile Katsina State together.

“This initiative, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Community Development Program
(CDP), is a deliberate policy designed to bring government closer to the people and enhance service delivery to the citizens.

“This policy will certainly allow residents to voice their challenges, mention their priorities, and suggest solutions.

“Through this approach, we are implementing the core principles of CDD by empowering our people to actively participate in shaping the interventions that affect their lives.

“In so doing, we are also fulfilling our obligations under the Open Government Partnership and accountability (OGP) and reinforcing our transparency frameworks.”

“It is pertinent to note that the reports and feedback from these town hall meetings will directly inform the preparation of the 2026 budget, a budget that is people-oriented, inclusive, and responsive to real-life needs.”

He, therefore, called on stakeholders to make the most of the opportunity to “engage openly, constructively, and with a shared sense of purpose.”