Kaduna state Governor, Dr Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, yesterday signed into law N200 billion as the state’s budget for the 2014 fiscal year following the passage of the appropriation bill by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
Kaduna state House of Assembly had increased the total budget for the state from the N198 billion proposed by the governor to N200 billion.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Kaduna, Yero urged the legislature to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the Appropriation Act through proper oversight functions.
Yero assured that the executive arm of government would cooperate fully with the legislators in carrying out their primary responsibility of ensuring that the people get value for money through efficient budgetary spending.
He added that a retreat would soon be organised for members of the legislative arms, the executive arm and civil servants in finding ways of ensuring that the budget is fully implemented for the benefit of the people.
Yero commended the legislators for their efficient consideration of the budget, while assuring the legislature that the budget would be prudently implemented in accordance with provisions of the Act.
The budget tagged ‘Budget of Peace and Continuity’ has 63 per cent billed for capital projects for the provision of critical infrastructures such as roads, hospitals, schools, rural electricity and water supply, while the remaining 37 per cent is for recurrent expenditure.
Addressing the impending increase in political activities as prelude to the 2015 general elections, Governor Yero pledged to ensure peace and stability in Kaduna state, saying that government would not fold its arms and “allow any person or group truncate the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state.”
Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, the Speaker said the budget was increased to enable the state to give more attention to the education, land and survey sectors.
