Musa Muhammad Hadejia
The Malam Madori Local Government Council in Jigawa State has disbursed N30.8 million to 154 polling units across the local government area to support the provision of social amenities and development projects at the grassroots.
The initiative was to ensure residents benefit directly from government programs and enjoy the dividends of democracy through community-driven development projects.
The development fund program was originally initiated by former Jigawa State Governor Saminu Turaki and later reintroduced by the incumbent Governor, Umar Namadi, to promote grassroots development across the state.
Speaking during the flag-off of the disbursement, the Chairman of Malam Madori Local Government Area, Salisu Sani Garungabas, urged members of the ward committees to ensure that the funds were used judiciously and strictly for the intended purposes.
Garungabas outlined guidelines for the 11-member committees responsible for managing the funds at the polling-unit level, stressing the need for transparency and accountability.
Under the programme, each of the 154 polling units is expected to receive N200,000 for the execution of projects identified as priorities by the communities.
A member of the committee, Hajiya Safiya Muhammad, said each polling unit would be required to complete a tracking form to monitor the utilisation of the funds.
She also encouraged neighbouring polling units to collaborate where necessary, particularly on projects that could have greater impact when jointly executed.
Flagging off the disbursement, the Chairman of the Polling Unit Development Fund Committee and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab, said the funds would be used for projects and interventions based on the needs of each community.
She listed the areas of intervention to include the repair of boreholes, evacuation of drainage channels and culverts, educational support for students, assistance to people living with illnesses and support for persons with disabilities.
Abdulwahab urged the committees to prioritise projects that would have direct and lasting benefits for residents while ensuring accountability in the implementation of the program.
