The Kaduna State House of Assembly has held a public hearing on the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented earlier this week by Governor Uba Sani.
The session, organised by the House Committee on Appropriation, provided an opportunity for civil society organisations and members of the public to present recommendations and raise concerns on the draft budget ahead of the budget-defence sessions for ministries, departments and agencies.
The public hearing is considered a crucial stage in the budget process, aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and fairness in the allocation of state resources for the development of the people.
Speaking on behalf of community-based organisations, Adejo Abel stressed the need for strengthening youth-development programmes, as well as increased investment in education and healthcare.
According to him, “the state’s large youth population makes youth empowerment a critical area that should guide final decisions.”
He also raised concerns about entries in the draft listed as zero.
“Some allocations are not cash-backed,” he said, urging lawmakers to reprioritise those items to strengthen fiscal performance.
Responding, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Shehu Yunusa Panbeguwa, assured participants that the Assembly would carefully scrutinise the budget to address observed lapses and guide the executive on releasing funds for critical projects.
“We will do what is necessary to ensure that the budget works for the people of Kaduna State,” he pledged.
He said all submissions will shape upcoming defence sessions with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Panbegwa reaffirmed that “the Governor’s 2026 budget presentation identified five priority areas,” noting that these guided most of the recommendations submitted.
The committee is expected to begin receiving heads of ministries and government agencies on Thursday for the defence of their respective budget proposals.
