Sokoto Holds Public Hearing for 2026 Budget, Announces Plan for Water Infrastructure Upgrade, World-Class Stadiu

By MG Gazali.

The Sokoto State Government has announced plans to upgrade its water infrastructure by replacing old machines at the state water board with new ones and connecting the station to solar electricity. 

This was disclosed by Governor Dr. Ahmed Aliyu while responding to questions from citizens at a public hearing for the 2026 budget proposal held at the Auditorium of Sultan Maccido Institute for Quranic and General Studies, Sokoto.

The Governor expressed gratitude to the people of Sokoto State for their active participation in the 2026 budget-making process. 

He highlighted key areas of focus for the budget, including infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. 

The Governor assured the public that their inputs would be considered in finalizing the 2026 budget and that the government would strive to ensure the budget is people-centered and aligned with the state's development needs.

The Governor also announced the approval for the immediate renovation of AA Raji Special School, demonstrating the government's commitment to providing quality education for all, including children with special needs. Additionally, he revealed plans to develop a world-class stadium in Sokoto State, citing the need to provide adequate sports facilities for the youth.

 According to him, experts have been invited to submit proposals for the construction of a stadium similar to that of Ogun State, and the proposals have been forwarded to the National Sports Commission for necessary recommendations.

The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, highlighted the significance of budget public hearings, emphasizing the government's commitment to transparency and accountability in budget implementation.

Dr. Zayyana explained that the process is in line with global best practices, ensuring that the budget is formulated with the input of stakeholders.

He noted that feedback gathered from the public hearing would be carefully considered in finalizing the 2026 budget.

The Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo, expressed his commitment to ensuring that federal government infrastructure development projects benefit the people of Sokoto State.

 He noted that the ministry is working to improve the state's infrastructure, including roads and bridges, and assured the public that the ministry is committed to delivering quality services.

 Barrister Goronyo also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the federal government and state governments in delivering infrastructure development projects.

In his contribution, former Deputy Governor, Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo, commended the government for its commitment to improving the lives of citizens. 

According to him, the state has a population of 7.1 million people, with approximately 5.3 million between the ages of 1 and 30, constituting a significant portion of the state population.

He urged the government to empower this demographic by creating opportunities for skills acquisition, which would enhance their employability and economic well-being. This, he suggested, could be achieved by partnering with institutions to introduce skills acquisition programs that would benefit youth after graduation.

Former Deputy Governor, Barrister Muktari Shagari, also advised the state government to seek more collaboration with the federal government, particularly in areas of infrastructure development, education,water supply , security and healthcare.

 He emphasized that such collaboration would enable the state to access more funding and technical support, which would in turn boost the state's development.

Stakeholders, including representatives from UNICEF, civil society organizations, and academia, attended the public hearing.

The UNICEF representative commended the Sokoto State Government for its commitment to transparency and accountability, urging the government to prioritize investments in education, healthcare, and social protection programs that benefit children and women.

 The Civil Society Representative and the Representative of the Academia also praised the government for engaging citizens in the budget-making process and highlighted the importance of research-based inputs in informing budget decisions.

The Sokoto State Government's initiative to connect all water stations to solar power is expected to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the state's water supply system while contributing to the state's economic development.

This plan is part of the government's efforts to harness renewable energy and reduce the cost of operating water facilities, setting an example for other states to follow.