Sokoto State House of Assembly has pledged to conduct all proper legislative processes for the passage and successful implementation of the state budget.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Tukur Bala Bodinga, made the pledge while declaring open a two-day sensitization and Programme-Based Budgeting (PBB) Training Workshop at Kamba Motel, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State capital.
It was organized by the Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the UNICEF-EU SUSI Project.
Alhaji Tukur Bala, represented by the House Leader, Alhaji Bello Idris, stated that the appropriation law is the most critical law in any legislature worldwide.
He explained that the members of the State House of Assembly are fully prepared for the best legislative process for the approval and passage of the 2026 budget.
The Speaker revealed that the House would soon review this year’s state budget before presenting next year’s budget, by the State Executive, for effective results.
In his address, the State Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, stated that Programme-Based Budgeting is a new approach focusing on efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability with public resources.
He emphasized that it encompasses input, output, and outcomes for the benefit of the state’s citizens.
Dr. Zayyana praised UNICEF for its initiative and support in helping the state to achieve its lofty goals.
He also acknowledged the support from the enjoyed from State Governor and spoke about the ministry’s commitment to ensuring all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) design their 2026 budget in accordance with Medium Term Expenditure Framework and allign with the state Governor’s smart points agenda.
Speaking, the Head of the UNICEF Sokoto Field Office, Dr. Mikel Juma, explained that Programme-Based Budgeting was initiated and worked on in three states last year and now extended to another three states.
He emphasized that the aim is to support their transition from traditional to Programme Based Budgeting, which will provide clear results on the spending of government resources.
The Head of the Field office represented by Social Policy Specialist Malam Isah Abdullahi expressed happiness on increase of State Budget allocation to Social sector, and called for actual expenditure of the resources so as to get to the desired point .
Other speakers at the workshop included the Director of Budget in the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Buhari Umar, and the State Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Comrade Bello Gwadabawa.
Other Participants included directors from various ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as the Chairman of Gwadabawa Local Government Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu Sakamaru among others.