By Abdul Raheem Aodu
Kaduna
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna state yesterday presented the sum of N203, 700, 855, 271 billion as the proposed budget appropriation for the 2015 fiscal year to the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
The proposed budget tagged ‘budget of consolidation and continuity’ has recurrent expenditure of N72,788,841,776 which represents 35.72% of the total budget and capital expenditure of N130,912,013,495 which represents 64.28% of the total budget.
The 2015 budget proposal is about N5 billion higher than the 2014 budget despite the gloomy economic environment, while it witnessed two percent increase in capital expenditure and conversely two percent reduction in recurrent expenditure.
The economic sector is allocated N42.7 billion, social sector N37.5 billion, regional sector N23.1 billion and general administration has allocation of N27.5 billion bringing the total capital expenditure to N130.9 billion.
Education N20.57 billion, health N12.26 billion, water supply N16.8 billion, works and transport N29.4 billion and agriculture N7.1 billion constitutes the lion share of the capital expenditure.
Addressing the State House of Assembly , Yero said implementation of 2014 budget was hampered by dwindling statutory allocation due to the fall in crude oil price, shortage in value added tax, poor internally generated revenue and debt repayment. He noted that faced with these challenges the state government planned to diversify its economy into solid minerals and tourism development.
“The 2015 budget is tagged ‘Budget of Consolidation and Continuity’ based on our determination to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects. We are going to focus on non-oil revenue and generation of internally generated revenue. We have lot of potentials, which we would exploit and we would block leakages and wastages.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Capital Expenditure for 2015 is categorized into four (4) broad sectors including;
He said his administration’s focus is to sustain peace and harmony, integrate development, support agriculture, provide comprehensive healthcare and integrate education.
The Speaker Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon Shehu Usman Tahir while receiving the proposed budget said the House through its various committees would take critical look at the proposed budget, adding that they would assist the executive in achieving the targeted goals in 2014.
“We are hopeful that the allocation would be achieved and the House would examine the proposed budget and pass same to the betterment of our society.”
