Niger Planning Commission to explore avenues to address Citizens’ Needs

Niger Planning Commission to explore avenues to address Citizens’ Needs

By Naomi Ishaku-Bugo

The Niger State Planning Commission has assured that it will continue to explore all available opportunities to address the needs and aspirations of the people through its short-, medium- and long-term development plans.

Mr. Mustapha Ndajiwo, Commissioner for Planning, stated this at the Zone ‘B’ Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on the preparation of the 2027 budget held in Paiko, Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants comprised stakeholders from Paikoro, Bosso, Shiroro, Munya, Rafi and Chanchaga Local Government Areas, all in Niger East Senatorial District.

Ndajiwo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Planning Commission, Hajiya Aisha Usman, observed that the government was yet to fully meet the expectations of the people due to developmental challenges, insecurity and limited resources.

He, however, said that despite the challenges, the state government would not relent in its efforts to bring governance closer to the people.

The commissioner explained that the stakeholders’ engagement, organised in collaboration with the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, was aimed at identifying the priority needs and aspirations of the people, particularly at the grassroots, to facilitate the preparation of an effective 2027 budget.

He said the initiative, since its inception, had helped the government to beam its developmental searchlight into communities by providing basic infrastructure and implementing social programmes with far-reaching impacts.

Ndajiwo urged the stakeholders to actively participate in the budget process by expressing their views and opinions on issues that would contribute to the development of the state.

He also called on the state and local governments to improve their revenue-generation efforts by effectively harnessing their potentials to reduce overdependence on federal allocations and enhance budget implementation.

In his remarks, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the engagement would promote prudent financial management and help to provide a better future for the people.

Also speaking, Alhaji Aminu Yandayi, Chairman of Paikoro Local Government Council, commended the state government for organising the stakeholders’ engagement.

Yandayi said the meeting provided a link between the people and the government by generating valuable information on the needs and aspirations of the people for consideration in the budget document.

Similarly, Dr Mustapha Alheri, Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Council, commended the budget process, saying that the council would leverage technology to improve revenue generation and block leakages.

Zubairu Ismail, member representing Rafi State Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Budget, Appropriation and Planning, called for realistic budget and revenue projections for the 2027 fiscal year.

He also assured that the House of Assembly would take appropriate legislative measures to support the implementation of the budget when presented to it.

In separate presentations, Umar Isah, Director of Budget, Planning Commission, and Usman Jemaku, Director of Planning, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, highlighted the half-year 2026 budget performance of Paikoro, Bosso, Shiroro, Munya, Rafi and Chanchaga Local Government Areas.

They said the presentation was aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the budget process, while emphasising the need to increase internally generated revenue to facilitate effective implementation of development projects.

The Directors of Planning from the participating local government areas also made presentations on the development priorities and budgetary needs of their respective councils.

Stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders and representatives of non-state actors, made contributions and recommendations on how to improve the budget process and ensure that it reflected the needs and aspirations of the people.

NAN reports that a similar stakeholders’ engagement was earlier held for Zone ‘A’ of the state.

The commissioner and his entourage also paid a courtesy visit to Alhaji Muhammad Mustapha, Hakimi of Paiko, to intimate him on the 2027 budget preparation process.

The traditional ruler assured the commission of his continued support toward ensuring the success of the budget consultation and implementation process.