The Sokoto State Government has urged residents to contribute practical and impactful proposals to the preparation of the 2027 budget, emphasising the importance of public participation in determining development priorities.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Bashir Muhammad Achida, made the call while launching the Southern Zonal Town Hall Meeting in Bodinga Local Government Area. According to Tribune Online, the meeting forms part of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s commitment to inclusive and transparent governance.
Achida said previous consultations had helped the government identify community needs, adding that many demands incorporated into the 2026 budget had reportedly been completed or were nearing completion.
He also announced plans to extend the 2027 budget consultations to all local government areas to make it easier for residents to present their priorities directly to the government.
The Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga, represented by Deputy Chief Whip Abubakar Shehu Shamaki, welcomed the initiative and pledged legislative support for the timely consideration of the proposed budget.
Other participants, including local government representatives, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, women’s groups and representatives of persons with disabilities, stressed the importance of ensuring that community concerns inform government spending decisions.
Public consultation can help governments identify urgent needs that may otherwise receive insufficient attention during budget planning. Issues such as healthcare, education, water supply, roads, agriculture and employment can compete for limited public resources, making transparent prioritisation particularly important.
However, meaningful participation depends on more than holding meetings. Citizens’ proposals need to be documented, assessed and reflected in budget decisions where appropriate. Publishing clear information about approved projects, allocations and implementation progress can also help residents evaluate whether their contributions produce tangible results.
Extending consultations to local government areas could broaden participation.
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