By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, on Wednesday, presented a budget proposal of N202,641,598,614.46k for the 2023 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for deliberation and subsequent passage.
The budget proposal comprises N87.9bn recurrent expenditure representing 43 percent and N114.4bn representing 57 percent.
According to the governor, the 2023 proposed budget which was christened “Budget of Accomplishment and Renewed Commitment”, is 2.6 percent higher than the 2021 budget, stressing that the increase is attributed to the rising inflationary trend that aligns our projection with the current realities.
He said that this conservative approach was adopted to ensure that projects and programmes captured are appropriately cost to ensure implementation.
The governor said that the process of the preparation of the budget was all inclusive. Budget public hearings were conducted in the three senatorial districts while inputs from stakeholders were received and incorporated into the budget.
He said that the 2023 proposed budget was prepared based on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework in compliance with the Bauchi State Fiscal Responsibility and predicated on the assumption of an oil price of 1.5 million barrels per day with an oil benchmark price of $70 per barrel and an exchange rate of N435 to a dollar; and an improved and efficient system internally generated revenue collection.
“The sum of N125,466,076,852 is estimated as recurrent revenue estimate which is made up of: Internally Generated Revenue of N72.5 billion, statutory allocation of N61.9 billion, VAT N35.2 billion.
“The sum of N87.9 billion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure. The breakdown is as follows: Personnel Cost: N41.5 billion and Overhead Cost N46.3 billion.
“It is projected that the state will realize Capital receipts in the sun of N67.1 billion in the following areas: Loans (internal/external) N17.6, Aids and Grants N10.8 billion, other capital receipts N38.6 billion.
“The Capital expenditure has been proposed in the sun of N114.7 billion in the following sectors: Administrative sector: N8.7 billion, Economic sector: N58.2 billion, Law and Justice sector: N1.8 billion, Regional sector: N11.2 billion and Social sector: N34.6 billion,” he said.
He solicited the continuous support and cooperation of Members of the Assembly in its efforts towards the development of the state in improving the lives of our citizens.
“I wish to appeal to the Honourable House to expedite action towards passing the budget into law to enable the government implement projects and programmes that will have significant impact on our people,” he said.
In his response, the Speaker of the House, Abubakar Suleiman, assured the governor that the lawmakers will carefully scrutinize the budget proposal and pass it within a short period of time.
He said: “I want to, at this juncture, assure you that the Honourable House, like in the past three years, will give the budget a careful and speedy consideration and subsequently pass it into law before the end of the year so that implementation will commence at the beginning of the year 2023.
“This is with a view to enhancing the gains recorded by the present administration in all areas of human endeavour and consolidate on the massive transformation going on in all parts of the State.”
He commended the governor that, despite the dwindling financial position, Bauchi state has, in the last three years under his leadership, witnessed an unprecedented transformation in infrastructure, health, education, empowerment and all sectors and institutions.
“I must therefore commend Your Excellency for your doggedness and commitment towards fulfilling your campaign promises to the good people of the state despite these challenges. May God Almighty in his infinite mercy, grant you another term to continue the good work you are doing for the people of Bauchi State.
“I like to also use this medium to appreciate and commend my distinguished Honorable colleagues for your patriotism and mutual cooperation without which I believe the successes recorded could not have been achieved. We are always strongly united and committed to the Bauchi development project devoid of any sentiment or consideration of political affiliation,” he said.
He concluded that: “As we commence this process as soon as possible, I wish to call on all MDAs to aid the smooth running of the process by providing the House Committees all relevant information and explanations that will be required during budget defense.
“At this juncture, I will reiterate that one of the major responsibilities of the legislative arm is oversight. Thus, the MDAs shall always give us maximum cooperation in discharging this constitutional responsibility.”
