Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on Wednesday presented the 2023 budget proposal to the State House of Assembly, amounting to One Hundred and Sixty-Six Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Five Million, Seventy-Five Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Naira (N 166,985,075,110)
According to the governor, recurrent expenditure accounts for N60,465,905,016 (Sixty Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty-Five Million, Nine Hundred and Five Thousand and sixteen Naira while the Capital Expenditures are in the sum of 106,519,170,093 (One Hundred and Six Billion, Five Hundred and Nineteen Million, One Hundred and Seventy Thousand, and Ninety-Three Naira).
Bagudu said that the proposed budget that was tagged: ‘Budget of Enduring Legacy ‘, has been guided by the strategic objectives of the State Development Plan 2022-2027.
They are: Improving Governance towards focusing on institutions through accountability, rule of Law, transparency and efficiency that delivers quality social service delivery to Kebbi State citizens.
According to the governor, the proposed budget also aims to enhance agriculture and Mineral Resource productivity through access to improved technologies, Finance and services to increase income generation and provide food security and poverty reduction.
Bagudu said: ” It also aims to improve the Livelihood of Youths and Women in an inclusive manner through Job creation and social economic empowerment that delivers social progress and transformation.
” In the next year, we will spend in excess of 5 billion Naira towards social interventions, human capital development and helping the poor and vulnerable
” Mr. Speaker, as part of our legislative agenda, we will be sending legislation in the 2023 year on improving the ease of doing business indices.
” The House graciously passed legislation for the establishment of the Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency. That was the first of many amongst investment attracting legislations.”
Bagudu further reiterated his commitments to investments, saying that the NNPC, 3d Histech and the Kebbi State government are in the process of establishing an SPV for the commencement of the much anticipated 110 million litre a day ethanol plant that will create thousands of jobs in Kebbi State.
”Recognizing also that we cannot change what we cannot measure, legislation for the establishment of the Kebbi State Bureau of Statistics will also be brought before this honourable house for its passage within the 1st quarter of 2023.
”Mr. Speaker, this ‘Budget of Enduring Legacies’ is one fit for the present just as it prepares us for the future. My successor who will inherit part of this budget will be left a legacy of prudent management of resources and a state with robust finances.
”This is a budget that meets our challenges just as it anticipates the transition to come. This is a budget that guarantees opportunities in the face of difficulties and challenges.
”This is a budget to grow the economy and spread prosperity. This is a budget of enduring legacies .This is a budget fit for purpose and fit for all citizens of Kebbi. I commit it to this Honourable House for consideration and speedy passage.”
Bagudu lauded the House for the harmonious working relationship that has existed between the Executive and the Legislature over the last seven and a half years.
He said:”Many of the achievements we have recorded have only been possible because of the unwavering support this house has given my administration. I thank you and your colleagues for this support, and I pray that this relationship will be the yardstick for Executive-legislative relationships in the future.
” The last three budgets presented and implemented have come in very trying times when considered in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
” Nonetheless, we have remained upbeat and resolute through those trying times. We have been able to maintain payment of workers remunerations and government running costs such that the machinery of government did not suffer despite the effects of the pandemic.
”We have also significantly reduced the backlog of pension and gratuity arrears in our bid to ensure the social welfare of retirees within the state.
The governor announced that he has approved the release of 3.9 billion naira to cover all the outstanding payment of retired workers entitlements up to 2022 so that gratuity would be paid on monthly bases.
”We have been able despite the fall in revenues to invest in critical infrastructure primarily roads, hospitals and schools just as our mainstay of Agriculture has taken its pride of place.”
The governor said that the administration has also been able to continue investing in human capital development just as investments in social services have been maintained.We have constructed and rehabilitated over 900km of roads in the last 7 years.
” This has included expanding in excess of 8 billion naira in the last 16 months alone. We will continue to bridge deficits in infrastructure until the last day of my administration.
”Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I received on behalf of our dear state, 5 awards on the State Fiscal transparency and Accountability Sustainability (SFTAS) program for Results. Kebbi was recognized for efficiency of use of public resources, transparency and accountability.
” We also came in first position receiving 18.6 million dollars for the 2020 verification. It is worth emphasising that these feats are only possible because of the numerous legislations that were passed by this hallowed House in record time in different areas of learning primarily Medicine and Engineering.
” The Kebbi State Government is sponsoring over 250 Kebbi state indigenes for overseas studies in those subject areas.Before the conclusion of this fiscal Year, we will begin the rehabilitation and modernization of 7 girls’ schools with a minimum intervention of 1 billion Naira per school as part of our AGILE program,” Bagudu said.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu while presenting his last budget to the Kebbi State House of Assembly, also used the opportunity to thank the entire people of Kebbi State for their support, the media and the security.
He used the opportunity also to commend his Deputy, Rtd Col. Samaila Yombe Dabai, the SSG, Babale Umar Yauri, former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Bello Dantani, the Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena, Commissioners, public officers and civil servants for their support and cooperation to the administration.
The Speaker of Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Sani Abubakar Lolo assured the governor of speedy deliberation and passage of the budget for the development of Kebbi State.
