KADLGAM Calls for Stronger Local Accountability, Climate Financing, Citizen Engagement in Kaduna

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

The Kaduna Local Government Accountability Mechanism (KADLGAM) has called for stronger commitment to transparency, fiscal accountability, and climate action at the grassroots level, urging local councils and stakeholders to deepen citizen participation in governance and development planning.

This call was contained in a press release jointly signed by Yusuf Ishaku Goje, State Lead of KADLGAM; Babangida Garba, CDC Coordinator for Kaduna North Senatorial District; Usman Adamu, CDC Coordinator for Kaduna Central Senatorial District; Godwin Kumai Akau, CDC Coordinator for Kaduna South Senatorial District; and Seth Luke, Civil Society Co-chair of the OGP Technical Working Group on Strengthening Participatory Budget Process and Head of Programs, KADLGAM.

The release followed the restructuring and inauguration of Technical Working Groups (TWGs) across all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kaduna State — an initiative supported by the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) and the LAFIYA Programme.

KADLGAM leaders and partners expressed concerns about weak citizen inclusion in local decision-making, inadequate funding for climate-related projects, and the need for institutionalized dialogue mechanisms to bridge the gap between government and communities.

According to the statement, local governments must move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate openness in their budgets and development plans.

“We are worried that despite reforms, fiscal accountability and climate financing are still weak at the local level. Communities need to know how their funds are utilized and be part of shaping development priorities.

“Our recommendation is clear, transparency, citizen engagement, and climate responsiveness must become standard practice in local governance,” the statement said.

The newly inaugurated TWGs, comprising 552 trained members from both state and non-state actors, will co-create and implement local action plans aligned with the Open Government Partnership (OGP) principles of transparency, accountability, and public participation. These action plans integrate climate action into governance, focusing on health, education, agriculture, and social protection.

KADLGAM also recommended that climate financing be mainstreamed into local budgets and that local governments adopt data-driven decision-making to address shocks such as floods, droughts, and other environmental challenges.

The mechanism emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between Civil Society Climate Action Advocates and Climate Change Champions to drive local adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Additionally, a permanent dialogue mechanism has been established to institutionalize community engagement, ensuring that citizens’ voices are reflected in planning, budgeting, and implementation at the local level.

The press release further appreciated the support of development partners, particularly the FCDO-funded PACE and LAFIYA programmes, the Ministry for Local Government Affairs, and all 23 Council Chairmen, for their continued collaboration in strengthening participatory and climate-responsive governance.

With its renewed focus on climate governance, the mechanism reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every local government decision reflects the priorities and the realities of the people it serves.