Abuja: The Kaduna South Local Government Council has inaugurated a digital governance initiative to promote accountability, transparency, and efficient public service delivery. The state deputy governor, Hadiza Balarabe, who inaugurated the scheme, said that it aligned with Gov. Uba Sani’s digital governance agenda, aimed at promoting transparent, inclusive, and people-centered governance.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the theme of the initiative is: ‘Navigating the future: Driving Inclusive Governance through Digital Innovation.’ The event saw the unveiling of the council’s official logo, new website, and administration scorecard. Balarabe emphasized that technology should be leveraged to improve citizens’ access to information and public services, rather than serving merely as a ceremonial achievement. “A digital government should not merely put information online, it should put power back into the hands of the people,” she remarked.
Balarabe urged the council to keep the portal updated to enable residents to monitor projects, access opportunities, and engage with the government. She described the administration scorecard as a contract of trust between the government and the people, stressing that the government should not fear accountability, as citizens have the right to know what has been achieved with public resources.
The Council Chairman, Rayyan Hussein, stated that the initiative reflected his commitment to technology-driven governance and greater citizen participation. He explained that the council conducted a baseline assessment after assuming office to identify gaps in health, education, security, economy, and public administration. This study informed action plans and reforms, which have produced measurable results across these critical sectors. “We did not guess what to do. We assessed the challenges, developed action plans, and today we are reporting verifiable progress,” he said.
Hussein highlighted several technological advancements introduced by the council, including digital certification of indigene with QR code verification, an official website, a professional email system, and secured cloud storage. He noted that Kaduna South is the first local government in the North-West and the third nationally to join the Open Government Partnership. The council also implemented live dashboards for primary healthcare centers to improve accountability and service delivery.
The chairman further shared that the administration introduced a 70 percent subsidy on medical bills in primary healthcare centers and enrolled 1,000 residents into the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA). The council rehabilitated health facilities, distributed 1,000 maternity kits, solar power, laboratory equipment, and essential medicines. Additionally, the teacher-to-student ratio improved from one to 90 pupils to one to 40 through recruitment and deployment initiatives, and over 1,000 students were sponsored for JAMB and NECO examinations, while schools benefited from infrastructure upgrades and learning materials.
Hussein also noted that the council strengthened security through the enactment of new by-laws, improved collaboration with security agencies, and established special protection outposts. The council supported farmers, empowered women and youths, and expanded access to clean water through solar-powered boreholes. He urged residents to use the newly launched web portal and other digital platforms to access information and provide feedback.