Written By: Ahmed Rufa’i in Dutse
The Jigawa State Government has commenced statewide advocacy and stakeholder engagement for the implementation of the Polling Unit Development Fund (PUDF), with a pledge to ensure the programme is guided by transparency, fairness, prudence and accountability.
This was contained in a press statement issued signed and made available to TRUTHS FINDER in Dutse by the Public Relations Officer to the ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Mr. Najib Umar (ANIPR) said
the Chairman of the State Steering Committee on the Polling Unit Development Fund and Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Ibrahim Garba Hannun-Giwa, made the commitment during an advocacy visit to the Emir of Hadejia and Chairman of the State Council of Chiefs, Adamu Abubakar Maje.
The visit, according to the commissioner, was aimed at securing the royal father’s blessings and mobilising support from traditional institutions and other stakeholders for the successful rollout of the initiative across the state.
Hannun-Giwa explained that the Polling Unit Development Fund was designed to bring government closer to the grassroots by addressing the immediate development needs of communities, particularly those in remote and underserved areas.
He said the initiative aligns with the people-oriented policies of Governor Umar Namadi, noting that it would enhance community participation in identifying and executing priority projects.
Responding, the Emir of Hadejia commended Governor Namadi for reintroducing the programme, describing it as a timely intervention that would empower communities to tackle their most pressing developmental challenges.
The monarch urged residents to ensure the prudent utilisation of the fund to maximise its benefits, expressing confidence in the integrity, professionalism and experience of members of the State Steering Committee to deliver on their mandate.
As part of the engagement, the committee, led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mustapha Makama Kiyawa, also held an interactive session with members of the seven-man Local Government Standing Committees from the eight local government areas within the Hadejia Emirate.
The stakeholders’ meeting focused on grievance redress mechanisms for the programme, with participants making contributions and recommendations, which the committee documented and addressed.
Other members of the steering committee include the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Gambo S. Mallam; the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Bello Abdulkadir Fanini; the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Adamu Muhammad Garin-Gabas; the State Auditor-General, Adamu Garba Dutse; and the Auditor-General for Local Government Audit, Shehu Muhammad Kaila.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government and Community Development, Yusha’u Muhammad Jaji, serves as secretary of the committee.
The advocacy visit was attended by chairmen of all the eight local government councils under the Hadejia Emirate.
