Sokoto to Strengthen Bureau of Statistics, Budget Ministry Departments
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The Sokoto State Government has announced plans to strengthen the State Bureau of Statistics and all departments of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Development to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery.
The Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Dr. Bashir Muhammad Achida, disclosed this while declaring open a three-day capacity-building workshop for newly recruited staff on the basic principles of budgeting, planning, monitoring and evaluation.
The workshop, organised by the ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is being held at Sokoto Guest Inn, Sokoto.
Dr. Achida described the Bureau of Statistics as a critical institution in the state’s development process, stressing that effective budgeting and planning depend on accurate, reliable and timely data.
He noted that statistics provide the foundation for identifying development priorities, guiding policy decisions and ensuring the appropriate allocation of public resources.
The commissioner assured that all departments of the ministry would receive the necessary attention and institutional support to improve their performance.
He urged staff to remain committed to their duties, while emphasising the need for proper organisation of the ministry’s operations, particularly as many of its responsibilities require both fieldwork and office-based activities.
Dr. Achida expressed confidence that strengthening the ministry’s departments, improving staff capacity and ensuring access to reliable data would enhance development planning and promote sustainable growth in Sokoto State.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Buhari Umar Musheshi, represented by the Director of Economic Planning, Sani Abdullahi, said the workshop was designed to equip participants with the basic tools, frameworks and methodologies required to perform their assigned responsibilities effectively.
He expressed optimism that the training would improve staff competence and contribute to more effective budgeting, planning, monitoring and evaluation across the ministry.
