From Mu’awiya Bala Idris, Katsina
Katsina State House of Assembly has charged local government councils to ensure strict adherence to budgetary implementation as a means of enhancing grassroots development and improving the welfare of citizens.
The call was made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Danjuma, during the ongoing 2026 local government budget defense exercise.
Danjuma emphasized that proper budget implementation would stimulate economic activities at the grassroots level and positively impact the lives of residents.
“As representatives of the people and members of this committee, we will closely monitor all expenditures of the local government councils to ensure public funds are judiciously utilized,” he said.
He added that the budget defense exercise is not intended to witch-hunt anyone but to scrutinize council budget proposals in line with constitutional provisions.
Supporting the exercise, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Abduljalal Haruna Runka, described the annual budget defense as a constitutional responsibility of lawmakers to promote accountability and ensure adherence to financial rules and regulations by the councils.
He called on council chairmen to cooperate with the committee to ensure the smooth conduct of the exercise.
During the session, several councils presented their proposed budgets. Baure Local Government submitted a budget of ₦8.4 billion, Maiadua presented ₦9 billion, Sandamu submitted ₦7.4 billion, and Zango presented ₦7.6 billion.
The exercise will continue with all 34 local government councils presenting their budgets for review and approval.
