From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
It was not a surprise for many people of Kebbi State when the State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris proposed N250.134 billion 2024 budget before the House of Assembly lawmakers on November 22, 2023. This happened to be the first time the budget of the state would go beyond N190billion, making Idris to be the first Governor to have broken the record.
Since his assumption in office, the former NUT national President and Vice-President of NLC have been taking the bull by the horns, proving his critics wrong that he could reform the state and reposition it among committee of states in Nigeria to be reckoned with.
To many, his eagerness to create a new chapter for the state in terms of infrastructure facilities, security, good working atmosphere for workers, vibrant education sector, empowerment and social welfare of the citizens have started manifesting prosperity prior to the presentation of his first budget as the governor of the state.
Besides regular payment of salaries, pensions, Idris, perhaps, yielding to the plights of the people of the state, injected the rehabilitation of Koko-Mahuta-Dabai road in the 2024 budget which, he described as a “ matter of urgency to ensure that our citizens who ply that road will enjoy the advantages of good infrastructure”.
Against all odds, his predecessors’ presentation of annual appropriation bills not surpassing N190 billion since 1999, next year’s budget of N250.134 upsurge has started creating suspense, dilemma and speculations on the targeted goals of the present administration.
To the Kebbi State Association for Peace and Good Governance (KESAPGGO), the budget` was the highest in the history of the state.
According to the Secretary of the association in the state, Comrade Usman Mohammed Anache, in a statement made available to Daily Sun in Birnin Kebbi, “the budget was the highest in the history of Kebbi State with over N250billion. It was termed ‘Budget of Infrastructure Development and People’s Empowerment’ and was divided into two parts of capital recurrent expenditure.
“The capital expenditure which is higher, gulped the sum of N159,493,805,335.48, the recurrent with the sum of N90,640,286,421.53 which is divided as follows; a’, personnel cost N35,961,467,843.98, overhead costs, N54,678,818,577.55 expected to be funded by Statutory allocation coming from the federation account estimated at N79,254,269,350 and internally generated revenues estimated at N18,387,341,701.26.
“Our observations are thus: the rise in the budget amount may be due to inability of the previous administrations to complete the inherited projects and inability to execute new ones which have to be shouldered by this new administration. We also observed that the zeal of the governor to curb security challenges and fulfill his campaign promises to the electorate must have contributed to the budget increment.
“Again, there were many capital projects intended to be executed by the present administration. And the devaluation of Naira to dollar rate which makes the commodities price higher, inclusion of peoples’ empowerment with the creation of new Ministries, as well as empowerment, always goes with tools and working capital.
“To us, if the budget is well implemented, it will be the best for the state. It covers the development of both human and infrastructures which are much needed. The security, agriculture, and empowerment were given more emphasis to revive the economy of post subsidy removal era. We will monitor the implementation of the budget and advise the government when necessary”.
While addressing the lawmakers on the budget, Governor Idris described the budget which he tagged as budget of infrastructure development and people’s empowerment’, as the ‘one fit for the present just as it prepares us for the future’.
According to him, “this is a budget that meets our challenges. 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 infrastructural development and peoples’ empowerment. This is a budget fit for the purpose and fit for all citizens of Kebbi. I recommend it to this honourable house for its consideration and speedy passage”.
Idris noted that the proposed budget was a path to a renewed and reinvigorated economy as the state begins a journey of post subsidy removal.
“We envisage a stronger and fit-for –purpose Kebbi economy built on the foundations of this budget. This budget is hinged on indices that are cautiously optimistic as we recognize that Nigeria’s economy as a whole is not completely out of woods. Oil prices are benchmarked at $74 per barrel with an exchange rate of N750 to US dollar. Inflation is estimated to be at 21.40% .
“The 2024 budget is guided by the strategic objectives of the State Development Plan 2022-2027, which we will revise to a 10 years plan, of 2024-2034. That plan will improve Governance by focusing on institutional reforms through accountability, rule of Law, transparency and efficiency that delivers quality social service delivery to Kebbi State citizens.
“This 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. It also aims to improve the livelihood of youths and women in an inclusive manner through jobs creation and special economic empowerment that delivers social progress and transformation”.
However, the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon. Usman Muhammed commended the state governor for his efforts to improve the standard of living of the people of the state within the shortest period he and his deputy governor assumed office.
He said: “your commitment and service to our great nation and state are well known and felt by all. This presentation of the year 2024 budget is a crucial moment for all of us as we set a stage for our collective aspirations and goals in the coming year. Honourable colleagues, this is blue print that earmarked government strategic plans for our people. It is our duties to analysis the budget and scrutinized it so that it can meet up with the expectations of our people in the state”.
The Speaker also admitted that the subsidy removal by the President has created challenges in many sectors such as economy, education, security, agriculture which need proper planning. He added that the house would ensure that the budget is passed within the January and December budget cycle for the benefit of the people of the state.
While wooing critics of the present administration, Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK noted that, Governor Idris has made it clear from the onset that he will run an all inclusive government. “This is with a view to fostering a pro-people and transparent governance system; engaging with various stakeholders, including opposition parties, will strengthen the decision- making process and ensure that the voices of all Kebbi State citizens are heard and taken into account.
“Let us seize this opportunity to build a brighter future for Kebbi State. Together, we can overcome any challenges and transform our state into a model of progress and prosperity. By standing united, we can achieve the objective of providing food and security, economic prosperity, unlocking the full potential of our agricultural resources and solid mineral deposits and ensuring a better life for all”.