By Aminu Abubakar

Despite calls for states to rely less on loans as a source of revenue, Jigawa State has borrowed the sum of N10.9 billion in the first six months of 2025, a SolaceBase review of the state’s budget performance document has shown.

While the state borrowed N10.9 billion, it only generated N6.9 billion in the same period.

Within that timeframe, the state also spent N587 million on public debt charges.

The state recorded low budget performance for critical sectors as of the half-year mark in 2025.

The document shows that only N784 million was spent on the construction/provision of water facilities between January and June 2025, despite a budgeted N6.3 billion for the entire year. This represents just 12.4% of the total budget for water facility construction.

The construction and provision of public schools recorded only 17.4% budget implementation in the first six months, with an expenditure of N4.4 billion out of a budgeted N25.5 billion.

Read Also: Jigawa spends N15.90k daily on healthcare per resident in 3 months, less than cost of a sachet water

Only 13.4% of the amount budgeted for the rehabilitation/repairs of public schools has been spent in the first six months of the year, with N1.3 billion spent out of a budgeted N9.9 billion.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) further paints a troubling picture. According to the bureau, 12% of households in Jigawa still lack access to clean drinking water, while a staggering 73% do not have access to sanitary facilities.

These deficiencies in essential services significantly increase vulnerability to disease outbreaks, particularly in rural communities.

Jigawa’s revenue problems and poor generation come amid the developmental challenges facing the state.

The Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, recently expressed concern about the deteriorating sanitary conditions in public spaces, especially within Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs). The governor made these remarks during the disbursement of consumables and non-consumables to healthcare centres across the 27 local government areas of the state.

He called on local authorities and heads of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) departments to prioritize the cleanliness and functionality of healthcare facilities, noting that “a clean environment is the foundation of a healthy community.”

For instance, the low expenditure on water facilities comes as cholera — a preventable and treatable waterborne disease — continues to thrive in conditions of poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water, which remain prevalent in many parts of Jigawa.

Read Also: Reporter’s Diary: A Day at Kasuwan Bacci, Kaduna’s ‘sleeping market’ – Haleema Hassan Abubakar

Gatafa village in Auyo Local Government Area emerged as one of the hardest-hit communities during the outbreak. According to a report by Channels Television, no fewer than 41 new graves were observed in the village cemetery — a chilling reminder of the deadly consequences of systemic neglect. Other affected communities include Auyakayi, Muran, Tsidir, Shawara, Tsaka, Majiya, Ayama, Anauya, and Kalgwai, all of which recorded fatalities and witnessed a rapid spread of the disease.

The expenditure priorities of the state have also come under scrutiny.

For instance, a sum of N1.2 billion was spent on travel and transport in the first six months of 2025, with international travels accounting for N846 million of the expenditure.