Sokoto proposes N 220.2bn for 2018

By Sidi A. Umar

Sokoto

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state yesterday presented a budget proposal of N220.288 billion for the 2018 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.
The 2018 proposal recorded N16 billion increase as against the 2017 budget of N204 billion.
Tambuwal assured that his government will concentrate on the completion of all ongoing projects started in the preceding years.
Presenting the budget tagged, “Budget of sustainable positive change,” Tambuwal called on the on people of the state to support the course of his administration towards delivering more dividends of democracy to them.
He said the budget was aimed at translating the key variables into a success story for the benefit of people in the state.
According to the governor, the budget proposal had earmarked over N152 billion for capital expenditure while recurrent expenditure took the highest figure of over N67 billion, as education attracted the highest sectoral allocation with over N57billion which represents 26.1o per cent.
Accordingly, the governor explained that the budget will be financed by a projected Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) of N32.16 billion and statutory grant of N50 billion foreign loans and N11billion as VAT among key sources.
The governor said the budget proposal was carefully raised in consideration of the wide consultations as criteria on the basis of current and projected economic indices and anticipated GDP growth of the state.
According to him, “We are going to pay more emphasis in harnessing the non oil potentials through encouraging agriculture and allied business and redirect attention to solid mineral resource that the state has comparative advantage.”
Receiving the budget, Speaker Salihu Maidaji said the members of the state Assembly were impressed and delighted with the presentation which he described as people oriented.
He assured the governor and people of the state of their readiness to ensure speedy consideration of the bill to enable the governor continue with his laudable programmes, especially in the areas of the state of emergency on education, health and agriculture among others.

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