The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, charged chairmen of the 23 local government councils to ensure prudent management of public funds, as the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) convened its statutory meeting for December 2025 in Kaduna.
Dr. Balarabe, who chaired the plenary session of the meeting held on January at the Senator Uba Sani Conference Hall, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, said effective utilisation of local government allocations remained critical to delivering meaningful development at the grassroots.
She stressed that the Uba Sani administration would not compromise on transparency, accountability and strict adherence to financial regulations, noting that local councils must ensure that every naira received translates into improved services for the people.
The Deputy Governor urged council chairmen to prioritise projects and programmes that have direct impact on communities, particularly in the areas of primary healthcare, education, rural infrastructure and sanitation.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sadiq Mamman Lagos, reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening the local government system through improved financial discipline and effective oversight.
Hon. Lagos, who presided over the technical session of the JAAC meeting, said the committee remained a critical platform for ensuring equitable distribution of resources and monitoring the utilisation of funds by local governments.
He emphasised that the Ministry would continue to work closely with council leadership to ensure compliance with due process, timely payment of salaries and pensions, and execution of people-oriented projects across the state.
The Commissioner further urged local government officials to embrace transparency in budgeting and expenditure, warning that the state government would not hesitate to take appropriate measures against any council found wanting in financial management.
Participants at the meeting included chairmen and deputies of the 23 local government councils, directors of finance and budget, and representatives of agencies such as SUBEB, RUWASSA, KADIRS, RMAFC, the Office of the Accountant General of Kaduna State, the Primary Health Care Board, the Pension Board and the Local Government Service Board.
In his remarks, Hon. Lagos described the presence of oversight and revenue agencies at the meeting as a demonstration of the administration’s holistic approach to grassroots governance and financial accountability.
The meeting ended with a consensus on the need to deepen collaboration between the state and local governments to improve internally generated revenue and ensure that local government allocations are efficiently deployed for sustainable development, in line with Governor Uba Sani’s people-centred governance agenda.