Sokoto assembly begins budget defence for LGAs

The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Wednesday commenced the budget defence exercise for Local Government Areas (LGAs), reaffirming its commitment to transparency in governance.

Alhaji Saidu Ibrahim (APC-Sabon Birni South), Chairman of the House Committee on Local Governments, made the commitment during the inauguration of the budget defence session in Sokoto.

Ibrahim stated that the exercise was part of the core mandates of the lawmakers to ensure proper appropriation of funds and to guarantee that allocations were managed efficiently for the benefit of the citizens.

“At the State Assembly, we are deeply concerned with the needs and aspirations of the society we represent.

“Local Government Areas remain our top priority, as they are the closest level of government to the people, providing direct services and access to development,” he said.

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He further emphasized the lawmakers’ dedication to ensuring transparency in governance, where government expenditures would remain open to public scrutiny and were properly managed.

The lawmaker also assured that the 2025 LGCs budget proposal would undergo a thorough scrutiny before approval by the assembly.

“We will begin by reviewing the level of implementation of the 2024 budget to gain a comprehensive understanding before assessing the 2025 proposal,” Ibrahim added.

In his remarks, Alhaji Abba Shehu, Chairman of Tambuwal LGA and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, reaffirmed the councils’ commitment to development.

Shehu described the budget defence exercise as a wake-up call for service delivery and dedication toward supporting Gov. Ahmed Aliyu’s drive for good governance.

“Our priority is human development, which we believe will address the needs of the masses and improve the standard of living across our communities.

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“For the year 2025, the local government administration will focus on tackling security challenges, youth empowerment, road infrastructure, educational development, healthcare services, electricity, and potable water supply.

“Moreover, we are fully committed to ensuring the success of the state government’s nine-point smart agenda,” Shehu added.

Also speaking, Alhaji Abdullahi Yarima, Chairman of Kebbe LGA, assured that the LGCs would continue to explore innovative measures to address poverty and promote societal development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the proposed budget estimates for the year 2025 range between N3 billion and N5 billion for each of the 23 LGAs in the state.