Yesterday, just like his counterparts in Niger and Plateau State, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State , Umaru Tanko Almakura, has presented his budget proposal for the 2016 Fiscal Year.
According
to Governor Tanko AlMakura, the main aim of the proposed appropriation
bill is to eradicate poverty, ensure the wellbeing of the citizens of
the state and above all promote social integration.
“If
these objectives are to be achieved therefore, we must work towards
creating an inclusive society “a society for all” stable, safe, just and
tolerant, a society which respects diversity, equal opportunity and
participation of all people, including the disadvantaged, vulnerable
groups and People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs)” he explained.
The
governor maintained that the issue of social inclusion is not only
imperative for the eradication of extreme poverty, but also achieving
universal education, promoting gender equality, reducing child
mortality, and improving maternal health.
“Unless
we pay closer attention to this issue, some segments of the population
will continue to be excluded from the scheme of growth and development.
The fear is that our development objectives will remain a mirage if we
continue to do“business-as-usual”.
“It is
against this backdrop therefore, that education, health, job creation,
solid minerals and agriculture are to be given priority in this year’s
budget which is predicated around the concept of integration to ensure
inclusive growth and alternative revenue generation”.
The
said budget, which is over Seventy Seven Billion Naira
(N77,917,126,799) and is about Thirty Nine Per Cent (38.78%) lesser than
that of the year which was over One Hundred and Seven Billion, Nine
Hundred and Five Million (N107, 905,191,045). Thus, the difference in
both proposals amounts to Thirty Billion Naira (N30bn)
Governor
Almakura revealed that over Forty Three Billion Naira (N43,335,912,339)
which is 55.6% of the budget is meant for recurrent expenditure, while
the remaining 44.4% which is over Thirty Four Billion Naira
(N34,581,214,460) would be gulped by Capital expenditure.
The
Governor addressed the issue of completion of all on-going road
construction projects, maintaining that it would lead to a more
efficient transport system, improved security system and tourism.
As
regards funding of the budget, Governor Al-Makura stated that the sum
of Thirty Billion Naira (N30bn) is expected from statutory revenue
allocation, and Eight Billion, Ninety Two Million Naira (N8.92bn)to b
would be gotten through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He stated
further that about Ten Billion Naira would to be realized from value
added tax (VAT).
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