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From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
Sokoto State Government has proposed the sum of N176.7 billion for the 2021 fiscal year. Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal disclosed this while presenting the budget before the State House of Assembly on Thursday.
Tagged ‘Budget of Consolidation and Economic Emancipation’, Governor Tambuwal admitted that 2020 was a challenging year not only for the State but Nigeria and the world as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Tambuwal noted that the budget with Capital Expenditure of N95.53 billion and Recurrent at over N81 billion, indicate an increase against the outgoing fiscal year budget tagged” Budget of Sustained Socio-Economic Development and Inclusiveness” which was appropriated at N202,345, 425,942.68 and subsequently reviewed downward to N164 billion to cushion the effects of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.
‘In spite of the gloomy picture, Sokoto State was able to perform remarkably well even in the face of the challenging issues of insecurity occasioned by banditry, cattle rustling, kidnappings and armed robbery activities,’ the Governor noted.
The Governor also explained that his government has laid a responsive emphasis in curtailing the spread of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.
He said Sokoto is one of the few states adopting the principles of transparency in the processes of achieving an all-inclusive budget appropriation in order to ensure human-oriented legacy projects in all spheres of its drive for food security through irrigation and dry season farming among other critical areas of benefits to the people of the state.
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The Governor also said the administration will also accord priority to welfare packages to further cushion the effects of current economic hardship.
He explained that ‘in spite of the devastation, we have been able to emerge more resolved and even stronger to drive our economy in the best direction towards prosperity.’
The Governor made a special appeal to the House to extend its timely support and cooperation to enable the passage of the bill for improved infrastructural development on earnest for the benefit of the state.
House Speaker Aminu Achida assured the Governor of a speedy passage of the budget, noting the transparent nature of the budget which took consideration of the priority needs of the average citizen of Sokoto.
Our correspondent reports that Education was awarded the highest sectoral allocation of 22% at N38.78 billion, followed by Agriculture with N20.77 billion and Health with N17.91 billion.
Officials that accompanied the Governor to the House included his Deputy, Hon Manir Dan-Iya, Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, members of the State Executive Council, other top government officials and members of the State’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
