Community Participation Key To Sustainable Development

Katsina State governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has said sustainable development can only be achieved when communities actively participate in governance, stressing that citizens must be involved not only in identifying development projects but also in monitoring their implementation.

The governor stated this on Saturday while flagging off the second statewide ward-level town hall meetings for the collection of citizens’ inputs into the preparation of the 2027 Katsina State budget.

According to him, the consultations, being held simultaneously across all 361 wards in the state’s 34 local government areas, underscore his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, transparency, accountability and citizen participation.

“Our administration firmly believes that development can only be sustainable when communities actively participate, not only in identifying projects, but also in monitoring their implementation and ensuring value for money,” Radda said.

He noted that the participatory budgeting process has strengthened transparency, promoted accountability and built trust between government and citizens by ensuring that public resources are directed toward projects that reflect the genuine priorities of communities.

The governor recalled that recommendations from the inaugural ward-level town hall meetings held in 2025 provided valuable input for the preparation of the 2026 budget, adding that many of the projects identified by citizens are already being implemented in sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education, water supply, social protection, youth empowerment, security and community development.

While acknowledging that not every demand could be accommodated within a single budget cycle because of limited resources, Radda assured residents that no genuine request would be ignored.

He appealed for patience and continued support, explaining that requests yet to be implemented would remain under consideration for future budgets and government interventions.

The governor urged participants to freely and responsibly identify projects capable of delivering the greatest impact on education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, youth employment, women’s development and security.

He also encouraged women, youths, persons living with disabilities, farmers, traders, artisans and community associations to actively participate in the consultations, describing their contributions as essential to shaping the state’s future.

Radda commended the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, led by Commissioner Alhaji Anas Malik, and the Community Development Programme headed by Dr. Kamaludin Kabir for coordinating the statewide exercise.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Anas Malik, said the town hall meetings reflect the administration’s determination to place citizens at the centre of governance.

He disclosed that several ongoing projects across education, healthcare, agriculture, rural infrastructure, water supply, youth empowerment and community development were direct outcomes of recommendations made during last year’s consultations.

Malik explained that every submission from the 361 wards would be carefully documented, analysed and considered for inclusion in the 2027 budget based on available resources and government priorities.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Community Development Programme, Dr. Kamaludin Kabir, described the initiative as a major step toward making budgeting more inclusive, transparent and citizen-centred.

He said every resident, regardless of social status, literacy level or disability, has the right to contribute to the state’s development agenda.

Kabir noted that each ward had received ₦10 million to address immediate community needs, while local governments had also been directed to implement projects identified during the consultations.

He added that demands submitted by communities are categorised according to the responsibilities of the federal, state and local governments before being forwarded to the appropriate authorities for implementation.

The statewide consultations are expected to provide community-driven recommendations that will shape the Katsina State Government’s 2027 budget and strengthen citizen participation in development planning.