Nasarawa state governor Presents 2016 Budget

Yesterday, just like his counterparts in Niger and Plateau State, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State , Umaru Tanko Almakura, has presented his budget proposal for the 2016 Fiscal Year.

“If these objectives are to be achieved therefore, we must work towards creating an inclusive society “a society for all” stable, safe, just and tolerant, a society which respects diversity, equal opportunity and participation of all people, including the disadvantaged, vulnerable groups and People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs)” he explained.

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The governor maintained that the issue of social inclusion is not only imperative for the eradication of extreme poverty, but also achieving universal education, promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality, and improving maternal health.

“Unless we pay closer attention to this issue, some segments of the population will continue to be excluded from the scheme of growth and development. The fear is that our development objectives will remain a mirage if we continue to do“business-as-usual”.

“It is against this backdrop therefore, that education, health, job creation, solid minerals and agriculture are to be given priority in this year’s budget which is predicated around the concept of integration to ensure inclusive growth and alternative revenue generation”.

The said budget, which is over Seventy Seven Billion Naira (N77,917,126,799) and is about Thirty Nine Per Cent (38.78%) lesser than that of the year which was over One Hundred and Seven Billion, Nine Hundred and Five Million (N107, 905,191,045). Thus, the difference in both proposals amounts to Thirty Billion Naira (N30bn)

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Governor Almakura revealed that over Forty Three Billion Naira (N43,335,912,339) which is 55.6% of the budget is meant for recurrent expenditure, while the remaining 44.4% which is over Thirty Four Billion Naira (N34,581,214,460) would be gulped by Capital expenditure.

The Governor addressed the issue of completion of all on-going road construction projects, maintaining that it would lead to a more efficient transport system, improved security system and tourism.

As regards funding of the budget, Governor Al-Makura stated that the sum of Thirty Billion Naira (N30bn) is expected from statutory revenue allocation, and Eight Billion, Ninety Two Million Naira (N8.92bn)to b would be gotten through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He stated further that about Ten Billion Naira would to be realized from value added tax (VAT).