Governor Radda lists obstacles to implementation
From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
Highlighting what he describes as the current gloomy national and global economic realities, Katsina State Governor, Umaru Dikko Radda on Monday presented a total of over N682.224 billion proposed expenditure for the 2025 fiscal year.
Laying the proposal before the House of Assembly, the Governor said that Recurrent Expenditure would gulp N157.967 billion of the total sum with N524.274 billion as Capital Expenditure.
Tagged, “Budget of Consolidation,” the Governor noted that the budget will be funded with projected revenue of N316.911 billion from FAAC allocations to the state and Internally Generated Revenue of about N64.426 billion, among other sources of income.
The Economic Sector received the lion’s share of N302.246 billion, representing 44.3 per cent, the Social Sector, N275.549 billion (40.4 per cent), the Administration Sector N98N.278 billion (14.4 per cent), and Law and Justice Sector, N6.242 billion (0.9 per cent).
Radda said, “We shall remain prudent in our activities and sincere in the discharge of our duties.
“Nationally, we have been most affected by the devaluation of our currency which has led to massive inflation.
“When I presented the 2024 budget the Naira was 816 to the dollar and today, Mr. Speaker, it is at 1,725 which is more than 100 per cent depreciation.
“These are the realities we face when we implement the budget. The uncertainty is not helpful but we have managed to remain efficient.
“The removal of fuel subsidy has increased living costs and by extension labour costs.
“The increase in minimum wage had a significant impact on the cost of running the private and public sectors across the country.
“Our primary concern remains the welfare of our people and supporting them to navigate the hardships facing us.
“Locally, our frontline local governments were affected by insecurity. Our gains in this fight have allowed our farmers to be more productive and overcome these challenges.
“Criminality will persist but we are confident it will not deter us from achieving our objectives.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that Katsina State remains a vibrant and attractive economy for investment.”
In his address, the Speaker, Nasir Yahaya Daura, said, “We assure the citizens that the Honourable House will carefully analyse the draft budget, conduct effective oversight and monitor the implementation of the developmental projects outlined in the 2025 draft budget once it is approved.
“Our goal is to turn these proposals into tangible benefits for the people of Katsina State.”