Kwara North Monarchs Laud Gov AbdulRazaq For Participatory Budgeting
• As govt engages northerners On 2027 budget preparation
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara North Traditional Council of Chiefs has commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for making life more meaningful for the people of the State through an inclusive and transparent budgeting process.
Speaking through the Emir of Lafiagi, in Edu Local Government, Alhaji Muhammad Kudu Kawu, extolled the administration for ensuring that the budget process is participatory and centered around the needs of the people.
“This is a very noble idea by His Excellency. If you involve people in the process of planning, it becomes people-oriented and the results and impacts would always be better,” the monarch said in Lafiagi at the town hall meeting for the 2027 budget preparation process.
The programme was organised by the State Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, coming two days after engaging the Kwara Southerners.
Etsu Tsaragi, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa Goshi, and Emir of Shonga, Dr. Haliru Ndanusa Yahaya (OON) were both represented at the citizens’ engagement session.
Governor AbdulRazaq, who spoke through Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Mary Arinde, said the exercise was in fulfillment of his campaign promises to run an inclusive governance and prioritize the citizens’ needs.
AbdulRazaq listed his government’s achievements in key infrastructure, including road, health, and education sectors, as well as provision for social welfare.
“When we came in 2019, we made a promise that our government would be open, transparent, and people-centered. Today’s engagement is one more proof of that promise,” the Governor said.
“Today, we are confident to say that we have made significant progress.
Over the past years, Kwara State has witnessed one of the most remarkable infrastructure renewal programmes in its history.
“Across the three senatorial districts, our administration has constructed and rehabilitated hundreds of kilometres of urban and rural roads, and opened up new communities.”
Some of the participants, who spoke at the event, acknowledged some of the projects of the administration in their areas, commending Governor AbdulRazaq for his leadership style.
Speaking on behalf of the Lafiagi Descendants’ Union, Muhammad Adamu, commended the Governor for his genuine policies in creating rooms for participatory budget in Kwara state.
“We are still celebrating the approval given to the construction of 56km of electricity feeder from Jebba paper mail sub station and the rehabilitation of Jebba/Bacita 33kv along Patigi/Lafiagi power line,” he said.
“We want to request from the state government to push for the federal takeover of College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi among other requests like road construction and rehabilitation, rehabilitation of schools.”
Other dignitaries in attendance were State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon Usman Ndanusa; Chairman, Edu LGA, Hon Abdullahi Bello; representatives of Chairmen of Patigi, Kaiama, Baruten, and Moro LGAs; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Livestock Development, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammed and his Ministry of Energy counterpart, Mr Afolabi Olaitan; APC Chairman in Edu, Muhammad Ismaila; representatives of Lafiagi Descendants Union, Hon Muhammad Adamu, and Tsaragi Emirate Development Association,
Paul Zhiri Tsowa; and chairperson of Market Women Association in Lafiagi, Hajia Ibrahim Aishatu Kawu; among others.
