Kaiama LGA allocates N720m for secretariat construction, single largest capital project at 25% of budget

By solacebase.com On Apr 11, 2026

Kaiama, Kwara, Bani, — Kaiama LGA allocates N720m for secretariat construction, single largest capital project at 25% of budget

By Aminu Abubakar

Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State has earmarked N720.6 million for the construction of a new local government secretariat and the renovation of the existing structure in Kaiama, making it the single largest capital project in the council’s 2026 budget.

The project read “Construction of new local government secretariat at Kara market and renovation of the existing structure, Kaiama.”

The allocation accounts for about 25 per cent of the LGA’s total capital expenditure of N2.87 billion, underscoring a strong focus on administrative infrastructure.

Budget data shows that the total capital expenditure for 2026 stands at N2.8 billion a sharp increase from the N899 million approved in 2025. Within the first nine months of 2025, the council recorded a performance of N772.8 million, indicating a significant expansion in spending plans for the new fiscal year and suggesting a more ambitious capital implementation strategy.

The secretariat project stands far above all other capital items in the budget. It rose from N30 million in the 2025 approved budget, with a performance of N67.76 million, to N720.6 million in 2026.

Located around Kara Market in Kaiama, the project includes both the construction of a new secretariat complex and the renovation of existing administrative structures, suggesting a comprehensive upgrade of the council’s headquarters and administrative capacity.

Notably, no other single project in the budget comes close to this allocation. The next highest items include N140 million for the purchase of a tractor, N130 million for transformers, and N100 million each for ICT equipment and motorcycles for security surveillance—figures that remain significantly lower than the secretariat vote. This disparity highlights the centrality of the administrative project within the overall capital plan.

However, the prominence of the secretariat project comes amid concerns over the poor state of rural infrastructure, particularly access roads in farming communities, which many residents consider more urgent for economic survival.

The Lamido of Banni Land in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State Sheikh Ahmad Ibn Muhammed in September 2024, urged the federal and state governments to prioritize the construction of the access road to the community. Speaking to Sobi FM in his palace, Sheikh Muhammed expressed frustration over the persistent neglect of the road, despite repeated promises from the authorities.

Banni, a farming community known for its production of yams, soybeans, and millet, has been hampered by its inability to transport produce to markets due to poor road conditions. “Our major problem in this community is the road,” Sheikh Muhammed lamented. “Farmers cannot get their goods to the market because of the bad roads. Transporters complain about the state of the road, saying it is not good for their vehicles.”

The traditional ruler added that the situation has worsened over time, contributing to declining agricultural productivity and rural incomes. Banni, once famed for its yam production, now faces a scarcity of staple crops. He noted that while low rainfall in 2024 played a role, the bigger challenge has been the abandonment of farming for mining activities, which began about two years ago, further weakening the local agricultural economy.

Against this backdrop, the decision to channel the largest share of capital spending into administrative infrastructure may raise questions about priorities, especially as critical rural roads remain in poor condition and continue to limit economic activity.

The council has also budgeted for ICT development, allocating N100 million for the purchase of 250 desktop computers, 10 laptops, modems, internet facilities, and CCTV cameras, all lower than its budgeted amount for the construction of the local government secretariat.

Other projects budgeted for include N15 million for photocopying machines, N5.6 million for generators and colour printers, and N54.4 million for office furniture. These allocations further reinforce the emphasis on strengthening institutional capacity and improving working conditions within the local government system.

Security and governance spending also feature prominently, with N100 million allocated for the purchase of 100 motorcycles for surveillance and N50 million for the renovation of the legislative chamber. These investments are expected to enhance mobility for local security operations and improve the functionality of the legislative arm of the council.

In the agriculture and logistics sector, the council has allocated N140 million for a tractor and N20 million for a heavy-duty truck. While these investments may support agricultural activities and logistics, they remain significantly smaller compared to the secretariat allocation, raising further questions about sectoral balance in capital spending.

Infrastructure projects include N60 million for grading the 24-kilometre Gwaria–Kishi road and N30 million for the Kaiama–Degeji road spanning 23 kilometres. Although these projects are crucial for connectivity, their combined allocation still falls far below the amount committed to the secretariat project, highlighting the disparity in funding priorities.

Drainage construction projects include N50 million for Kemanji Town and N40 million for drainage linking Zakari’s residence to New Bussa Road, the latter having recorded a performance of N22.12 million in 2025. These projects are expected to address flooding and improve environmental sanitation in key areas.

Market and energy projects include N50 million for a new Kara Market and N130 million for the purchase of five transformers to improve electricity supply across key wards.

Water projects are also spread across the LGA, with multiple borehole schemes receiving funding. Allocations include N30 million for Wogu and Tunga Baba Ilorin, N6 million for Maje, and several smaller allocations ranging between N3.5 million and N7 million for communities such as Tenebo, Tungan Zabaruma, Adena, Sabon-gari, Babete, Wajibe, and Kosa. Despite the importance of water provision, the local government will invest much more on its secretariat construction and renovation than in the provision of pipe-borne water for its residents.

Urban expansion plans are reflected in allocations of N5 million each for new layouts along Kemanji Road, Bacha along Venra Road, and Kanikoko Road, indicating efforts to accommodate future growth and improve land use planning within the LGA.

Overall, while Kaiama LGA’s 2026 budget raises questions across multiple sectors, the N720.6 million secretariat project stands as the dominant capital expenditure—both as the single largest project and as a quarter of the total capital budget. This heavy concentration on local government secretariat infrastructure places it at the center of the council’s spending priorities, even as communities like Banni continue to call for urgent intervention in basic infrastructure such as roads that directly impact livelihoods and economic productivity.