By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
A budget proposal of N220.288 billion for the 2018 fiscal year for Sokoto state was yesterday presented to the Sokoto State House of Assembly by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal with a call on people of the state to support the course of his administration towards delivering more dividends of democracy to them.
The budget proposal had earmarked over N67billion for Recurrent expenditure while Capital expenditure took the highest figure of over N152bn just as Education attracted the highest sectoral allocation with over N57bn which represents 26.10%.
” We will concentrate on the completion of projects started in the preceding year within the sector\’, he said.
The proposal however, indicated an increase of N16 bn in excess against the 2017 budget which stood at N204.288bn.
Presenting the proposal tagged :” Budget of Sustainable Positive Change” before the lawmakers, Tambuwal said the budget was aimed at translating the key variables into a success story for the benefit of people in the state.
Also in attendance at the presentation were the state Deputy Governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the state APC Chairman, Alhjai Usman Suleiman Danmadamin Isa, the State Chief Judge, Justice Bello Abbas, Grand Khadi, Abdulkadir Sa’idu Tambuwal,SSG, Prof Bashir Garba, HoS, Dr Buhari Bello Kware, members of the state Executive Council, LG chairmen and top politicians among others.
Accordingly, the governor explained that the budget will be financed by a projected Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) of N32.16bn and Statutory Grant, N50 bn Foreign loans and N11 as VAT among key sources.
He described budget process as a fundamental pillar of democratic achieving favourable development through the promotion of people\’s welfare in the spirit of love , understanding and selflessness which bound the state would continue to be sustained.
The governor said the budget proposal was carefully raised in consideration of the wide consultations as criteria on the basis of current and projected economic indices and anticipated GDP growth of the state.
According to him” We are going to pay more emphasis in harnessing the non oil potentials through encouraging agriculture and allied business and redirect attention to solid mineral resource that the state has comparative advantage.
” The objective of the budget driven by anticipated competitive economic variables is to speedily transform all sectors to attain the desired results.”
Tambuwal who noted that his administration had recorded significant milestone within the year under review, said the state budgets were products of purposeful public consultations driven by the zeal and commitment to serve the people of the state.
” It will enable us to advance the course of th state than we met it”, he stressed.
Receiving the budget proposal, Speaker Salihu Maidaji said the members of the State Assembly were impressed and delighted with the presentation which he described as people oriented.
He assured the governor and people of the state of the House readiness to ensure speedy consideration of the Bill to enable Governor Tambuwal continue with his laudable programmes especially in the areas of the state f emergency on education, health and agriculture among others.
” We commend your administration’s commitment to the general development of the state”, he stated.
