Writing By Aminu Dalhatu; Editing By Godwin Duru
Governor Dauda Lawal has presented the Proposed 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Zamfara State House of Assembly, estimated at ₦861.3 billion, outlining the administration’s fiscal priorities for the 2026 financial year.
While presenting the budget on the floor of the House, Governor Lawal explained that ₦714 billion is earmarked for Capital Expenditure, representing 83% of the total budget, while ₦147 billion is allocated for Recurrent Expenditure, accounting for 17%.
The Governor emphasized that, the proposed budget reflected his administration’s resolve to strengthen security, modernize agriculture, expand infrastructure, reform the civil service, and drive economic revitalization across the state.
Governor Lawal described the 2026 proposal as a Budget of Stability and Growth, marking the administration’s transition from rescue operations to consolidation and long-term development.
Dr. Dauda Lawal noted that, the ₦714 billion capital allocation which is far above global development benchmarks, reflected a deliberate strategy to build infrastructure, enhance security, and expand economic opportunities.
Key infrastructure commitments include major road networks across all 14 Local Government Areas, such as the construction of the Gusau–Magami–Dansadau road, Mallamawa–Zarummai–Bukuyyum road, the 94km Yandoton Daji–Doka–Yan Waren Daji–Hayin Alhaji–Bedi–Yankuzo (Tsafe) road.
Others are the 53km Jauri–Dogon Kade–Nassarawa Mai Layi–Nassarawa Godal road, Birnin Zauma–Gumi (Bukuyyum) road, Maradun–Makera road, Zurmi–Rukudawa road, Lambar Asako–Asako road and bridge, Lambar Kaida–Kaida road and Kotorkoshi–Tofa–Samawa–Rawaya road.
According to him, ₦5 billion has been set aside for emergency road works in each senatorial zone.
He pointed out that water supply remains a top priority, with ₦25 billion allocated to expand and strengthen pipelines and treatment facilities across the Gusau–Talata Mafara–Tsafe–Kaura Namoda axis to support household consumption, agriculture, and industrial use.
The government has also dedicated ₦17.5 billion to upgrade Primary Healthcare Centres across all 147 wards in the state.
The Governor reaffirmed that accessible and quality healthcare is a right for every citizen.
In the area of agriculture, climate resilience, and related international partnerships, the sector will receive 10% of the total budget.
Governor Lawal also disclosed that, the education sector received 8% of the total budget, targeted at upgrading the Zamfara State University, revitalizing the College of Agriculture and Animal Science (CAAS), Bakura, Cconstructing and renovating schools across all LGAs and Introducing a comprehensive state scholarship scheme
On Security, Governor Lawal affirmed that, security remains the “big elephant in the room, assuring that, his administration would continues to invest heavily in community-based security, technology-driven surveillance, intelligence gathering, and support to vigilante structures.
He noted that addressing the root causes of insecurity—poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion—remains central to the rescue agenda.
He highlighted the government’s achievements over the past years, including sanitizing the payroll and eliminating thousands of ghost workers, clearing salary arrears and implementing a ₦70,000 minimum wage.
Others are settling over ₦13.9 billion in gratuity backlog and Improving schools, hospitals, and roads across all 14 LGA and increasing internally generated revenue (IGR) by over 300% among others.
The Governor said these reforms have restored confidence in governance and strengthened public institutions.
In his remarks, Speaker Bilyaminu Moriki pledged the House’s commitment to ensuring the speedy passage of the Appropriation Bill.
He commended Governor Lawal for his dedication to driving development across all sectors of the state economy.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
