The Nasarawa State Government has announced plans to establish security surveillance bases in each of its three senatorial zones as part of efforts to strengthen security measures across the state.
Hajiya Munira Abdullahi, the State's Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning, disclosed this during a citizens' budget town hall consultation for Nasarawa West zone held on Wednesday in Keffi Local Government Area.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Polinus Wahe, the commissioner emphasized that the surveillance bases would be strategically located at security flashpoints in the three senatorial zones and equipped with modern technological surveillance equipment.
Intelligence-Driven Security Approach
"The surveillance bases will be located at the flashpoints in the three senatorial zones and equipped with modern technological surveillance equipment to enhance intelligence-driven security," Abdullahi stated.
She further explained that the state government would collaborate with security agencies to ensure the effectiveness of the surveillance bases, reiterating Governor Abdullahi Sule's commitment to protecting lives and properties through proactive security measures.
Citizen-Centered Budget Process
The town hall consultation, themed 'Fostering Collaboration on Resource Allocation – Key to Participation in Governance,' was described by the commissioner as a symbol of the state government's commitment to inclusive governance, transparency, and participatory budgeting.
"Since the inception of citizen budget engagement in Nasarawa, the State has made significant progress in ensuring that budgeting is no longer a top-down affair," Abdullahi noted. "Budgeting in Nasarawa State is now a people-centered process where your voices, your needs, and your aspirations inform and shape government planning and implementation."
Mr. Peter Akolo-Ataka, Director of Budget in the ministry, explained that participants at the town hall consultation were drawn from the informal sector from the Western Senatorial zone, comprising Keffi, Kokona, Karu, Nasarawa, and Toto local government areas.
Community Concerns and Priorities
Several participants expressed appreciation for the government's inclusive approach but emphasized the need for effective implementation of the budget to address their needs.
Representatives from various local government areas, including Mark Abu and Yusuf Friday from Toto LGA, Owa Jonah from Kokona, and Usman Abubakar from Nasarawa LGA, all advocated for improved security measures and better infrastructure such as roads, healthcare facilities, and schools in their rural communities.
Mr. Danladi Sulieman, a youth leader from Karu, made a special appeal for priority attention to be given to Karu's development needs, citing its rapidly growing population due to proximity to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The commissioner urged all participants to speak freely and articulate the needs of the people they represent, assuring them that their submissions would be reviewed and considered in the 2026 budget.
"Our goal remains to build a budget that truly reflects the priorities of the people," she concluded.
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