A local council has opened a series of public budget hearings, inviting residents, traders, women's groups and young people to comment on how the city's revenue should be spent in the coming year.

Council officials presented a draft spending plan at community halls in several districts, setting out proposed budgets for roads, sanitation, markets and staff. Copies were also displayed at district offices for residents who could not attend.

Drainage and rubbish top the list

Many speakers called for more spending on drainage, saying that roads in their neighbourhoods turn into rivers whenever it rains. Others asked for regular rubbish collection and street lighting in newer districts. "We pay market fees every day, so we want to see where the money goes," said a trader at one session.

A council member said the hearings were meant to build trust and that comments would be considered before the budget is put to a vote. He added that the council would publish a short summary of the final budget in Somali so that residents could follow it.

Women's groups at the hearings asked for safer, better-lit market areas and for public toilets near busy trading streets. Youth representatives called for a share of the budget to support sports fields and vocational training, saying young people needed more than promises.

Civil society groups welcomed the move but urged the council to report back regularly on spending during the year, not only when the budget is being drawn up.

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