Local Governments Chairmen in Kaduna State have pledged to improve budgeting and prioritise investments aimed at reducing child poverty through better access to healthcare, education, nutrition, water, sanitation and social protection.
The commitment followed the conclusion of a three-day Public Financial Management workshop on Wednesday in Kano, organised by the Kaduna state Planning and Budget Commission with support from UNICEF Kaduna Field Office.
News men reports that child poverty is depriving children experience when they lack access to essential services and opportunities, including quality healthcare, education, adequate nutrition, safe drinking water, sanitation and social protection.
The chairman of Soba Local Government, Mohammad Shehu, said the workshop equipped council chairmen with practical knowledge to improve budget planning and service delivery.
Shehu, who led Zone One during the workshop, said participating councils had agreed to increase investments in primary healthcare, sanitation and maternal health.
He said some councils planned to construct two primary healthcare centres every quarter and expand funding for toilet construction in their communities.
According to him, local governments would also procure delivery kits for pregnant women to reduce maternal and child deaths.
Shehu said funding constraints would be addressed through improved planning and collaboration with the Federal Government, Kaduna State Government and development partners.
He disclosed that Soba Local Government intended to sponsor between 20 and 30 students annually to study medicine and return to serve rural communities.
According to him, strengthening healthcare, education and economic opportunities for families would help reduce child poverty across local government areas.
Chairman of Kachia Local Government, Magaji Henry, described the workshop as one of the most impactful programmes attended by the chairmen.
Henry said participants received valuable data on their councils, including statistics on out-of-school children, to guide evidence-based budgeting and development planning.
He pledged to strengthen nutrition interventions, maternal healthcare services and support for vulnerable children in Kachia.
Henry said the council has a nutrition budget line and was introducing toll-free health services and free delivery kits for pregnant women completing antenatal care.
Chairman of Lere Local Government, Jafaru Ahmed, said the workshop deepened participants’ understanding of budgeting and prudent management of limited public resources.
Ahmed said the chairmen learned that effective planning and proper prioritisation could achieve significant development outcomes despite financial constraints.
Earlier, Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Alhaji Sani Bako, urged council chairmen to eliminate revenue leakages through stronger internal controls and transparent financial management.
Bako advised them to embrace digital revenue collection, improve financial reporting and strengthen accountability to maximise resources for development.
He said stronger public financial management would translate into better schools, healthcare facilities, clean water, sanitation, youth empowerment and economic opportunities.
Bako commended UNICEF for supporting reforms that promote fiscal discipline, transparency and improved grassroots governance across Kaduna State.
Also, Chairman of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Mahmood Lawal, urged the chairmen to improve budget preparation and correct shortcomings identified in previous local government budgets.
Lawal assured them of the Assembly’s continued support in strengthening local governance and achieving the state’s development priorities.