Chairmen and representatives of eight local government areas in Niger North Senatorial District have pledged to prioritise people-oriented projects in their 2027 budgets, ensuring that projects captured in their respective plans directly benefit residents.
The commitment was made on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting on the preparation of the 2027 budget held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, Wushishi Local Government Area.
The council leaders said their 2027 proposals would be guided by available resources and prevailing economic realities, with an emphasis on projects that could deliver tangible benefits to their communities.
They commended the Niger State Planning Commission for sustaining the stakeholders’ budget engagement programme for the past three years, describing it as important for allowing communities and local authorities to contribute to government planning.
The council leaders also called for greater government intervention on state and federal roads across the state, noting that poor roads were affecting movement, economic activities and residents’ wellbeing.
They further commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for strengthening security in the zone, particularly the deployment of three battalions to tackle insecurity.
Meanwhile, the Director of Local Government Budget and Planning, Hajiya Hauwa Musa, raised concerns over the involvement of some council chairmen in budget preparation.
Musa said directors sometimes prepare council budgets without sufficient involvement of the political leadership, leaving some chairmen unfamiliar with the contents of their budgets when they appear for screening. She called for chairmen and budget officials to prepare the budgets together.
She also stressed that council leaders must understand their revenue positions before proposing projects and programmes.
Her comments came ahead of the September 7 budget screening, where councils are expected to present and defend their proposals.
Earlier, Chairman of Wushishi Local Government, Hon. Dr. Engr. Mohammed Ibrahim Lokogoma, said the meeting provided an opportunity for residents to make their voices heard and ensure their needs were captured in the 2027 budget.
He identified education, healthcare, women and youth development and environmental concerns as critical areas requiring attention.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Aishat T. Usman, the Chairman of the Niger State Planning Commission, Hon. Mustapha Ndajiwo, said the engagement was aimed at making the budgeting process more responsive and participatory.
Ndajiwo stated that it was the third official engagement with stakeholders within one month, describing the consultations as evidence of the administration’s commitment to giving citizens a voice in determining development priorities.
According to him, the collaboration between the Planning Commission and the Ministry for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs was aimed at bringing government closer to the people by incorporating their expectations into annual plans and budgets.
He also disclosed that the 2026 budgets of all local government councils had been streamlined and converted to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), using the six segments and 54 digits of the National Chart of Accounts.
