Devt Should Begin At The Grassroots – Katsina Deputy Governor
By Joe Goddy, Katsina
Deputy Governor of Katsina State Faruq Lawal Jobe has emphasised that meaningful development must begin at the grassroots level where the real challenges of the people are most deeply felt.
Speaking at the official flag-off of the Katsina State government’s ward-level town hall meetings in his hometown of Kankara on Thursday, Jobe representing Governor Dikko Umaru Radda described the initiative as a strategic turning point in delivering people-focused governance.
“This isn’t just another consultation exercise. It is a deliberate strategy to deepen democracy, promote transparency, and ensure that our budget truly reflects the real needs of our communities”, he said.
The town hall meetings, being held across all 361 wards in the state are part of a new citizen-led budgeting process aimed at collecting grassroots input for the formulation of the 2026 State Budget.
Jobe noted that the governor had directed all political appointees and public office holders to actively participate in the meetings in their respective communities.
He added that “as a government, we believe the best ideas often come from those who live with the realities we aim to change. This initiative brings government closer to the people”.
According to him, the exercise aligns with the principles of Community-Driven Development (CDD) and the Open Government Partnership (OGP), allowing citizens to take ownership of development by shaping policies that affect their lives.
Jobe assured that the feedback gathered would be submitted to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Community Development Programme (CDP), forming the foundation of the state’s 2026 budget.
“We are building a people-oriented, inclusive, and responsive budget, and it starts with listening,” he concluded.