BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has concluded the 2026 budget defence exercise for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with lawmakers pledging a more realistic and inclusive appropriation framework anchored on performance and early execution.
Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation and Implementation, Hon. Shehu Yunusa-Pambeguwa, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists, saying all MDAs had appeared before their respective committees to defend their proposals.
According to him, the exercise went beyond projections for 2026, as committees critically reviewed each MDA’s 2025 budget performance from January to November to assess achievements, challenges and unmet targets.
Yunusa-Pambeguwa said the performance review helped lawmakers identify gaps that hindered project implementation, enabling committees to recommend corrections that would strengthen the structure and credibility of the 2026 budget.
He described the defence process as successful, noting that MDAs fully participated and provided the clarity required for the Assembly to compile a comprehensive and implementable appropriation report.
The lawmaker explained that the 2026 budget places strong emphasis on continuity and inclusivity, with deliberate focus on extending development to rural communities alongside urban centres.
He said priority would be given to critical infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, schools and other essential public facilities across the state.
Yunusa-Pambeguwa urged heads of MDAs to ensure efficient utilisation of approved funds, stressing that residents—especially those in rural areas—must feel the tangible impact of government programmes.
He also charged MDAs to prioritise staff training and retraining, noting that Kaduna State is transitioning into a digital and smart-governance era that requires a technologically skilled civil service.
The committee chairman further advised MDAs to begin preparation of capital project documentation immediately after the governor assents to the 2026 budget to avoid delays.
“Early implementation will position the state to achieve between 70 and 80 per cent budget performance by the third quarter”.
