The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has presented an estimated budget of N176, 685,535,633.47 for the year 2021 to the State Assembly.
Presenting the budget before the members of the State Assembly, Governor Tambuwal said the budget tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Socio-economic Emancipation” would lay emphasis on legacy projects, dry season farming, irrigation and reconstruction of flood-ravaged infrastructure.
Realistic and inclusive budget
According to him, Sokoto State was one of the few states in the country that had fully adopted the principle of realistic and all inclusive budget, where citizens’ observations and inputs were harnessed during stakeholders’ town hall meetings.
“This is borne out of our desire to carry the people along in the decision as to how their resources are expended”, he said.
Budget break-down
Breaking down the budget according to sectoral allocation for the year 2021, Tambuwal said the budget shows that Education has the lion share of N38,784,571,035.78, which is 21.9%, followed by Agriculture, with N17,905,299,159.00 constituting 17.1% and Health, N20,770,716,027.29, representing 11.8%.
He added that capital expenditure is 54% while Recurrent Spending is 46% of the Budget Total.
“The budget will focus on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged/destroyed by this year’s flood disaster, while maintaining priority on the completion of ongoing infrastructural projects and the initiation of new ones across the state”, the Governor said.
Curbing crime in the state
He expressed appreciation to people of Sokoto state and to the security agencies for their efforts at curbing the rate of crimes in the State.
He also thanked members of the State Assembly for their unreserved cooperation, while assuring them his administration remained resolute above partisanship for the advancement of the people in the State.
He however solicited for the usual collaboration with House towards the realization of transformation drive, through the execution of people oriented projects.
The Governor urged members of the State Assembly to attend to and consider this proposed 2021 Budget in the interest of the socioeconomic development of Sokoto State.
In his remarks, the Speaker Sokoto State House of Assembly, Honourable Aminu Achida, commended the Governor for creating good atmosphere between Executives and legislature.
He assured Governor Tambuwal that members would to everything possible to ensure speedy passage of the budget for sustainable development in the State.
Nneka Ukachukwu
