Budget Working Group raises concern over N26.9bn queried from Kano 2023 audited report

The Kano Budget Working Group has raised concern over N26.92bn queried from the 2023 audited report.

The group urged the Assembly to hold responsible MDAs accountable, emphasizing the need for transparency in managing public resources.

During a public hearing convened on the 2025 Kano State budget by the State House of Assembly on Thursday, the group lamented the situation.

SolaceBase reports that the group represented by its Program Officer, Malam Akibu Hamisu urged the assembly to scrutinize the MDAs involved in the query.

“We call on this honourable Assembly to intensify its constitutional mandate in addressing corruption and promoting public accountability. Ensuring that those implicated in audit queries face justice is pivotal to restoring public trust,” Hamisu asserted.

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They called for greater accountability and citizen-focused adjustments in the proposed 2025 budget.

The group emphasized the need for strategic allocation of funds to critical sectors, ensuring inclusive governance and sustainable development.

Hamisu commended the government’s efforts in adopting reforms such as the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and fostering public engagement.

However, he highlighted gaps in sectoral allocations and raised accountability concerns, urging lawmakers to address them in the final budget approval.

Hamisu praised the allocation of ₦285.9 billion (54% of the budget) to social sector, covering education, health, and poverty reduction initiatives.

He described this as a promising step toward addressing the needs of marginalized groups, including women and youth.

He also welcomed the ₦175.5 billion (35.49%) dedicated to the economic sector, targeting infrastructure, agriculture, and rural development.

The group urged the government to prioritize equitable development, emphasizing that rural communities are often left behind despite their contribution to state revenues.

The KBWG criticized the inadequate funding for immunization programs, with only ₦13.5 million allocated despite Kano’s high number of zero-dose children (330,000).

Hamisu warned that insufficient immunization funding could worsen health outcomes for children under two years of age in underserved areas.

The group also raised concerns about ₦1 billion allocated for developing operational plans, calling it excessive and suggesting reallocations to more impactful healthcare services.

“We appeal to the Assembly to ensure timely releases of funds for essential services at Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), which remain the backbone of grassroots health delivery,” Hamisu stated, referencing the ₦1.5 billion earmarked for PHC services.

While applauding the ₦108.83 billion (19.82%) allocated to education, KBWG highlighted a worrying trend of low fund releases. In 2024, only 16% of the allocated capital expenditure for education was utilized. The group urged lawmakers to strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure the timely release and effective utilization of education funds.

The KBWG commended the Assembly for its inclusive approach, allowing citizens to provide input during public hearings. This practice, Hamisu noted, strengthens accountability and reinforces public confidence in democratic institutions. “As deliberations on the 2025 budget continue, the KBWG remains committed to partnering with the government to promote transparency, equity, and accountability, ensuring that the state budget serves as a tool for inclusive development and social justice