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Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has flagged off the town hall meetings for the preparation of the state’s 2027 budget, urging citizens to influence governance decisions and identify projects and programs that matter most to their respective communities.
Addressing members of his ward in Radda, Charanchi Local Government Area, on Saturday, the governor urged youths, women, students, politicians, members of civil society organizations, and rural dwellers to make valuable input in the budget draft in their various wards.
“As we officially flag off the second statewide ward-level town hall meetings for the preparation of the 2027 budget, I urge all people of the state to go back to their wards and make contributions which will be reflected in the 2027 budget”.
“Last year, we embarked on a journey that transformed the way governments interact with the citizens; for the first time in the history of this exercise, people from the wards provided us with invaluable information that guided the formulation of the 2026 budget, strengthening our resolve to place the people at the center of governance”.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this year’s exercise is not merely another meeting. It is a continuation of the promise we made to the people of Katsina State that governance must begin with listening to the people that elected the government”.
“Today, that promise continues through this meeting; every citizen, regardless of political affiliation, age, gender, or religion, occupation, or social status, has another opportunity to influence governance decisions and identify projects and programs that matter most to the communities”, the Governor concluded.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Malam Malik Anas, said similar town hall meetings will simultaneously take place across all the 361 wards of the state.
According to him, every citizen, regardless of age, gender, political affiliation, or social status, is encouraged to participate and freely express their developmental priorities.
“The Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has designed this process to ensure that every recommendation received from the communities is carefully documented, analyzed, and incorporated into the state’s planning framework based on available resources and government priorities”.
Anas appreciated the governor for his visionary leadership and support in institutionalizing citizens’ participation in governance and commended the Community Development Program (CDP, and members of the community-level committees for their dedication in mobilizing communities and sustaining grassroots engagement across the state.
