Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni on Thursday, 11 November, 2021 presented the year 2021 appropriation bill of N164.1 billion before the State House of Assembly.
Tagged: “Budget of Continuity, Empowerment and Accelerated Development,” it is an increase of 17.3% over the 2021 budget.
The Governor during the presentation before the Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Ahmed Lawan Mirwa and other lawmakers, said, with the year 2022 budget, his government intends to maintain its policy on prudent management of resources, observance of due process, ensuring good value for money, completion of all ongoing projects, provision of basic infrastructure, the general increase in agricultural production, improving commercial activities and enhancement of Internally Generated Revenue for speedy post-insurgency recovery and development.
Buni said, “Recurrent expenditure is to gulp Ninety One Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty Five Million, Seven Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand naira N91,425,743,000), while Seventy Two Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty Eight Million, Six Hundred and Forty-One Thousand Naira (N72,628,641,000) is allocated to finance capital expenditure.
“The 2022 budget will concentrate on pursuance of our goals on post-insurgency recovery and economic rejuvenation. Our major focus should, therefore, dwell on but not limited to the completion of the construction of the Bulanguwa-Kumaganam 30-kilometer road, Damagum-Gubana 12-kilometer road, Chimbusko-Tagali road and rehabilitation of Jakusko-Garin Alkali, Kaliyari-Bayamari and Gashua-Yusufari roads.
“Work will continue on Gujba-Mutai road while the second phase of Mutai-Ngalda portion of the Gujba-Ngalda road would be jointly funded by the Yobe State Government and the North-East Development Commission in 2022.
“Work will also commence on the construction of Danchuwa-Jajere road to be funded through the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Projects (MCRP).
“We will also carry out the construction of township roads and drainages in Damaturu, Potiskum, Nguru, Gashua, Geidam and other Local Government Headquarters. We would undertake rehabilitation work on Katarko-Goniri; Ngelzarma-Mashio; Babbangida-Chirokusko and Girgir-Karage roads. In addition, we intend to construct roads linking Dawasa-Chikuriwa-Kukuri; Bara-Njibulwa; Maisandari-Gambir; Babbangida-Koriyel; Potiskum-Degubi; Fika-Maluri and Fuwuri-Damakaso.
“To this end, the government would adequately support the Ministry of Budget to work in collaboration with the State Project Monitoring Committee to ensure timely and quality execution of the projects for government to have value for its money.
The Governor said his government would consolidate on previous achievements by providing funds for completion of the Trailer Park and the Modern Market in Potiskum while contract will be awarded for construction of the Geidam Modern Market.
He added that work would be completed on major markets to stimulate commerce and economic activities, and address the issue of youth restiveness.
He said: “To address youth restiveness and unemployment, the newly established Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation is mandated to come up with initiatives that would support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, provide employment opportunities and promote self-reliance for economic empowerment of our Youth, Women, People Living With Disabilities and other Vulnerable groups”
Sectoral allocation showed that the Works, Housing and Transport Ministry got the highest allocation with N29.8 billion, Education followed closely behind with N28.7 billion and with Health getting N18.3 billion.
Responding, the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Mirwa commended governor Buni for sustaining the cordial relationship that exists between the Government and the legislative arms in the state.
He however assured him that the lawmakers would work on the budget towards a speedy passage.