From Olukayode Idowu, Damaturu
Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Mai-Mala Buni has presented an appropriation bill of N107 billion to the State Assembly for the 2021 Fiscal Year.
The sum of N63.2 billion is proposed to be expended on total recurrent expenditure and N43.8 billion on total capital expenditure.
The sectoral allocation showed that housing and property development got the lion share of N8 billion.
Other sectors with large share include: works (N7.8 billion), basic and secondary education (N4.5 billion), agriculture (N4.2 billion), transport and energy (N3.5 billion) and health (N2.1 billion).
The governor, addressing the lawmakers on Thursday at the Yobe State Assembly chamber, said the budget is tagged: “Budget of Recovery, Consolidation and Economic Rejuvenation,” said it would concentrate on completion of all ongoing projects, creating an enabling environment for youth empowerment and accelerate restoration and improvement of livelihood for the entire citizenry.
He said: “We therefore, plan to expend a total sum of N106,998,499,776 for the execution of our various projects and programmes. This figure gave us an increase of N20,949,388,672 or 17.2% over that of 2020 Budget.
“Out of the total amount, the sum of N63,184,171,776 or 59.5% has been earmarked for recurrent expenditure while the sum of N43,814,398,000 or 40.95% would be dedicated to financing of capital expenditure.”
He said the budget would largely dwell on completion of all ongoing projects and reinvigorate the government’s drive in providing numerous empowerment packages for the industrious and teeming youth to facilitate realization of their dream for self-actualization, self-reliance and attainment of economic prosperity.
He added that it would also be used to boost the state’s abundant agricultural potentialities as the government intends to provide funds for agricultural revitalization towards achieving food security, employment and personal income generation as well as internally generated revenue in the state.
He said the budget would also aimed to sustain the momentum in revitalization of education by providing funds for the building and rehabilitation of school structures, provision of teaching and learning materials and ensure prompt payment of the counterpart obligations, tuition registration and examination fees.
Buni said: “Our Administration is also focused on tapping from our solid minerals and other natural endowments to open up other areas for internal revenue generation and industrialisation.”
The Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Mirwa promised the people of the speedy passage of the bill.
The Speaker who said the bill has passed through the first reading with the presentation, appreciated the cordial relationship that exist between the executive and legislature.