Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Saraki proposes N67b appropriation bill to lawmakers

By Babs Odukoya
24 December 2009   |   7:17 am
From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin GOVERNOR Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, on Tuesday in Ilorin, presented the state's 2010 budget of N67 billion beforethe State House of Assembly as against N70 billion earmarked last year. The budget, christened "Budget of Consolidation," is made up of N37 billion capital expenditure and N30.8 billion recurrent expenditure. Giving the sectoral breakdown, Saraki said works and transport will take the largest share of N9.2 billion; followed by general administration with N6.2 billion, education with N4.2 billion, water resources N4.3 billion, agriculture N3.7 billion, health N2.4 billion and sports and youth development N2.3 billion

He said, “a sum of N5.4 billion herewith referred to as recurrent surplus shall be transferred from the consolidated revenue Fund to capital Development.

Saraki explained that the focus of this year budget would mainly be on how to complete all on-going projects, since his administration is drawing to a close.

He pointed out that no new project would be accommodated in the new fiscal year, except those that have been conceived by the government and accommodated by the budget.

The governor noted that the 2010 appropriation bill will seek to build on the achievements of the past years.

“Last yearÕs budget was overshadowed by the global economic meltdown, but due to government prudent spending we were able to make some landmark achievements,” he said.

He added that in the 2010 fiscal year, the standard of the state stadium would be upgraded to FIFA standard by increasing the capacity from 11,000 to 18,000.

On health, he said the state immunised 800,000 children in 2009, while he said that government would rehabilitate and upgraded three General Hospitals across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The highlight of the budget as announced by the governor was the plan by the state to upgrade facilities at the stateÕs Sports Complex, Ilorin to such a standard that would be acceptable to the international standard.

At present the stadium has a capacity for 11,000 fans but the governor said it would be upgraded to 18,000 next year.

Earlier the Speaker of the House, Babatunde Mohammed, attributed the laudable achievement recorded in the state to the harmonious relationship between the executive and legislature.

He commended the governor and his team for the prudent management of the state resources, despite the economic meltdown and provision of dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

0 Comments