From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has proposed 173.6 billion naira as the 2023 budget estimate for the state.
Making the presentation on Thursday at the state’s house of assembly, Yahaya said the budget christened ‘further consolidation’, would help the current administration deliver its goals and aspiration, especially in ensuring development.
He noted that although the 2023 budget marked the end of his first term in office, he expressed optimism that he would present the next estimate of the 2024 fiscal document in 2023.
“The 2023 Budget, being the last in my first term of four years, is coming at a period of great uncertainties and challenges, both locally and globally.
“From the Covid-19 pandemic, the crash of oil prices, economic recession and geopolitical conflicts across the world, we have in the past three-and-half years, weathered various storms to safely sail the ship of our common destiny towards progress. As we prepare for all-important national elections next year, I have no doubt that I will appear before this Honorable House next year – InshaaAllah – to present the 2024 Budget,” Yahaya said.
Daily Sun reports that recurrent was earmarked N71.8 billion at 41.4 per cent and N101.8 billion representing 58.6 per cent.
He said, “To continue providing for the developmental needs of the people of Gombe State in the 2023 fiscal year, we proposed a budget in the sum of N173,697,242,000.00 only. This is made up of N71,856,492,000.00 only for recurrent expenditure representing 41.4 per cent, and NGN101,840,750,000.00 only for capital expenditure, representing 58.6 per cent of the total budgeted sum.
“We envisage to generate the sum of N100.6 billion as recurrent revenue, and the sum of N74.7 billion only as capital receipts. Our estimated closing balance for 2023 is expected to be N1,618.3 billion.”
The governor added that, “Overall budget performance stood at N92.7 billion as of 30th September 2022, representing 60 per cent of the total budget size. The detailed sectoral performances are contained in the budget performance report submitted together with the 2023 budget proposal.”
Speaking, Speaker Abubakar Luggerewo, while lauding the governor for ensuring separation of power, assured that the process would be expedited.
He said, ‘By laying this important financial document on the table, your excellency, you have indeed fulfilled a vital constitutional requirement, in line with the doctrine of separation of powers. It is now the responsibility of the honourable house to carry out its own part of the constitutional requirement of scrutinising your submission for subsequent passage into law.
“We wish to assure your Excellency that by God’s grace, the bill will receive diligent and expeditious legislative scrutiny and passage to enable you to continue with all the laudable development policies and programmes of your purposeful administration.”