Economic Confidential, February, 2009

STATE NEWS

 Governor Sambo Presents N153.17bn Budget

…Endorsed by LGs’ Chairmen

The Kaduna state government is to spend the sum of N153.170 billion for the 2009 fiscal year. The state governor, Arch. Mohammed Namadi Sambo made this known when he presented the budget proposal to the state House of Assembly.

This year’s budget is higher than that of 2008 which was N94.079 billion by about N49 billion. Sambo said while listing he achievements of his government last year that about 1,359,594 people including women and children benefitted from the government’s free health services even as 2,889 women enjoyed free Caesarian operation in both the primary and secondary health centers.

According to Sambo, the budget tagged budget of consolidation and stabilization will give more priority to education, electricity, transport, security, health, water supply and agriculture.

The Governor however acknowledged that the state will face financial crunch owing to dwindling oil process in the international market, pointing out that will be involved in revenue generation activities of the state revenue board to ensure increase in internally generated revenue for the state.

The governor also stressed that “armed with this uncomfortable situation, we are of the view that the revenue accruing to the States from this source will certainly be affected. To create its own economy that is self-sustaining and that will outlive the administration, Government is making concerted efforts to boost its Internally Generated Revenue potentials. It is exploring all internally generated revenue avenues and by modernizing the tax generation agencies in the State. This initiative is supported by the World Bank and DFID assisted Governance & Capacity Building Schemes. When properly implemented, it will double the efforts of the State in the revenue generation drive and minimize revenue losses.”

Meanwhile the Governor as part of the Eleven-Point Agenda to take Education to the next level has last year approved scholarship Awards and Payment to 8700 deserving students amounting to (N111,890,000.00) one hundred and eleven million, eight hundred and ninety thousand Naira only.

Similarly, the sum of (N43m) forty three million Naira has been approved for payment to Secondary School Teachers that engaged themselves in extra lessons and therefore deserve extra allowances. This is with a view to motivating the students and teachers to pursue their chosen endeavour with vigour so that the State shall be the better for it at the long run.

The governor enjoins the teachers and students to reciprocate this gesture by working hard to succeed in their respective fields and disciplines and that more efforts should be directed at giving our students quality lectures to prepare them for the future challenges that lay ahead.

Impressed by his sterling leadership qualities, the Chairmen of Local Government Councils, under the auspices of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) have endorsed the governor's populace programmes and the positive impact he has made in the lives of the people in the state.

In a press conference held at the Kaduna Government House ,ALGON Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Shehu Giant, said the resolution of the council chairmen to throw its weight behind the governor was borne out of their desire to see to the development of the state through the implementation of viable programmes and projects, saying "Let us also stress that we are very comfortable with the style of administration of Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo and are very pleased to associate ourselves with his person, government and his populist programmes. "We wish to further state that his efforts in moving the state forward is acknowledged and strongly supported. It is a step in the right direction".

To read the full Budget Speech, click: Kaduna Budget 2009