Yobe Governor Signs 2025 Appropriation, Finance Bills

Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has signed the state’s 2025 Finance and Appropriations Bills into law.

Buni gave the state House of Assembly legislation totaling N320.8 billion for the fiscal year 2025 on October 30.

Less than two months following the presentation, the assembly had already approved the requested expenditure.

Speaking at the event, the governor praised the House Speaker, Alhaji Buba Mashio, and other assembly members for ensuring that the measures were passed quickly.

“You have demonstrated a strong commitment to serve our people, placing the state’s interests first, and above your comfort to ensure timely passage of these bills into law.

“I am aware of the slight adjustment made by the assembly on the budget size with a decrease of N15 Million. I am sure the adjustment is done to make the proposals more realistic, and in reflection to the prevailing economic realities.

“ As the year 2025 sets in, the government would hasten the completion of all ongoing projects, initiate new ones and ensure timely completion of all, in fulfilment of our campaign promises,” he said.

To make sure that projects were carried out strictly by specifications and contractual agreements, Buni assigned project supervising engineers.

“I will support you, and stand with you to execute your duties effectively and efficiently.

“However, if you fail in your responsibilities, government would not hesitate to engage external supervising engineers to ensure quality execution of our projects for government to get value for its money,” the governor said.

Additionally, he directed the state Bureau for Public Procurement to analyze contractual bids with a relatively low-profit margin going forward.

“Only competent contractors with the capacity, technical know-how, and other required prerequisites should be considered for award of contracts.

“The Bureau shall be held responsible for lapses recorded in the award of any contract,” Buni said.

The governor congratulated 500 individuals who had just received training on how to produce necessities for the home and announced that they would get a start-up grant of N50 million.

He stated that as part of the initiative run in partnership with the UNDP, each beneficiary would receive a N100,000 grant and a start-up kit to help them create their enterprises.

He stated that his government would prioritise creating jobs for the hordes of young people and enact a new minimum salary of N70,000.

“Earlier, the state government employed 15 graduates from each of the 178 political wards totaling 2,670, and provided cash support to flood victims, small and medium scale entrepreneurs to stimulate economic growth,” the governor said.

Manomsi Mallum/NAN