By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state yesterday presented a budget estimate of N128, 010,602,977.00 for the 2018 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly with a plan to employ 2000 fresh graduates within the period.
Tagged “Peoples Budget,” the governor said the estimates consist of Capital Expenditure of N75, 858,976,895.00 and Recurrent Expenditure of N52, 151,626,082.00.
It consists of a projection of Statutory Allocation of N57, 610,992,099.00, Value Added Tax (VAT) estimated at N9, 890,656,457.00, while Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was estimated at N11, 650,465,457.00.
Others include the capital receipts of N35, 854,489,391.00, refund from Paris Club of N10, 000, 000, 000.00 and refund from the pension administrators amounting to N3, 000,000,000.00
He explained that because his administration attached great importance to the provision of potable drinking water to the populace, the sum of N3.725 billion has been earmarked for the rehabilitation of Kontagora, Bida Suleja water works.
Similarly, provision has been made for the rehabilitation of bi-water schemes at Dabban, Matandi, Ibeto, Edozhigi, Salka and Auna at the total cost of N42.6 million, adding that feasibility studies would be commissioned on the construction of new water treatment plant in Minna.
He said, “In the area of rural water supply, 100 Solar Powered and 200 Hand pump boreholes will be drilled and rehabilitated respectively in different communities across the state”.
Bello restated his determination to revamp the heath sector adding that about NI.5b and N1.4b have been earmarked for the renovation and equipping of Suleja and Kontagora general hospitals respectively.
He said that the administration will establish 40 new primary health care facilities during the fiscal year adding that government will commence the implementation of the State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme for the benefit of all.
