Published By Olukayode Idowu
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has presented an appropriation bill of N267.9 billion to the State House of Assembly for 2022 fiscal year.
Sectoral allocation leaves education sector with the largest share of N38 billion, representing 20.22% of the budget size.
Addressing lawmakers at the State Assembly in Maiduguri, Zulum announced a total of N267.9 billion with N1725 billion for capital expenditure and N95.4 billion for recurrent expenditure.
Titled the budget of “Hope for Post-Conflict Stability”, Zulum said the budget aims to fast track ongoing reconstruction of destroyed communities for safe and dignified resettlement of IDPs, as well as the provision of livelihood and social support to citizens. The budget also aims to fund completion of all ongoing capital projects.
He said the budget will be financed from anticipated recurrent revenue of N113.8 billion made of FAAC allocation and increased IGR, and capital receipts of N154 billion made up of loans and grants.
He said many plans would be pursued in the education sector which include the establishment of new technical schools, reconstruction and reopening of some schools destroyed by insurgents, and the establishment of what he called “Centres of Excellence” which will involve identifying two existing secondary schools in each of Borno’s three Senatorial zones and transforming the six schools to become of international standards.
Other sectoral allocations include: N23.8 billion for reconstruction of communities destroyed by insurgents, as well as the rehabilitation and resettlement of victims.
He revealed plans for construction of resettlement houses in Abadam, Guzamala, Kukawa, Kwaya Kusar, Dikwa, Malamfatori, Logumane, Gajibo, Gudumbali, Dalwa, Darajamal, Ngurosoye, Kirawa, Maiwa, Ashigasha among others.
The health and human services got N24.2 billion, Ministry of Finance received N30.4 billion. to sustain prompt payment of salaries and gratuities, Housing and Energy was allocated N8.7 billion for completion of a housing estate and other projects.
Zulum also appropriated N22.9 billion to Works, for the construction of a number of roads he listed and gave N10.4 billion to Agriculture and Natural Resources for series of farming programmes, animal and fisheries development.
The sum of N4.4 billion was allocated for Transport, while various amounts to other sectors including security operations through the Security Trust Fund and the Governor’s office which normally undertakes major interventions on sensitive security matters.
The budget also proposed 64% of the entire budget which is N172.5 billion out of N267.9 billion, was allocated for capital projects mostly physical constructions of infrastructure, houses, schools and others.
Zulum earlier gave detailed review of the 2021 budget performance, reeling out verified statistics of projects and programmes delivered by his administration in 2021, with names of communities where the projects are located.