Candido submits N10bn 2021 budget to AMAC legislative council

The Chairman Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Abdullahi Adamu Candido, Thursday, presented the 2021 budget proposal in the tune of N10, 087, 228, 268.00 to the legislative arm for consideration and approval.

Our correspondent reports that the proposed estimates for the 2021 fiscal year tagged ‘Budget of Resilience’ represents a nominal increase of 10.4% above the previous year’s estimate of N8.7 billion.

Candido, while presenting the appropriation bill at the AMAC chamber, disclosed that the budget was aimed at bringing to the doorsteps of residents of the council the dividends of democracy.

He noted that despite the setbacks experienced by the council in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his administration remained committed to sustainable rural transformation.

He explained that the budget adopted the zero-based budgeting approach, which is a product of collaborative effort of relevant stakeholders, including the legislative, executive and all departments of the council.

Giving a breakdown of the budget revealed that the sum of N5.71 billion has been allocated for capital expenditure, representing 56.67 per cent of the budget, while recurrent expenditure will gulp N4.37 billion, representing 43.33 per cent.

He added that the personnel cost will gulp N2.75 billion, representing 28.56 per cent, N1.46 billion earmarked for over head cost, representing14.77 per cent.

According to him, the increase in personnel cost is as a result of expected staff promotion and proposed minimum wage increase as well as minimum wage arrears.

He further reiterated that the thrust of AMAC capital projects in 2021 will be completion of many on-going projects rather than starting new ones.

On his part, Speaker of the AMAC Legislative Council, Hon Abubakar Baushe, who presided over the legislative session, said there would be thorough consideration of the 2021 appropriation bill before approval.

Baushe, who commended Candido, assured that there would be efficient legislative action on the budget estimates to boost the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.

Leave a Reply