Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim,
Wasallallahu Alan-Nabiyul Karim.
Your Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Honourable Idi Barde Gubana, (Wazirin Fune),
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Chiroma Buba Mashio,
Your Lordships, the Honourable Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Kadi,
Distinguished Members of the National Assembly here present,
Honourable Members of the Yobe State House of Assembly,
Members of the State Executive Council,
State Chairman APC,
State Chairmen of other Political Parties here present,
Heads of Security and Paramilitary Agencies,
The Secretary to the State Government,
The Acting Head of Service,
The Chief of Staff,
Special Advisers,
Permanent Secretaries and Other Senior Government Officials,
The Chairmen Local Government Caretaker Management Committees,
Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Mais,
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Assalamu Alaikum.
It is with utmost gratitude to Almighty Allah that I am here in this Honourable Chamber, once again, to discharge my constitutional duty in consonance with section 121 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, to present the 2024 Appropriation and Finance Bills.
2. This Budget is unique in the sense that it will serve as a launch pad for another developmental phase of our second term of office. I consider it as the budget that will usher in our drive to give the landscape of Yobe the needed facelift, as we have defined new goals, established clear directions, and evolved new policies and programmes geared towards the complete transformation of the State.
3. The current fiscal year has come with some challenges which impacted on our drive to fully implement our projects and programmes as initially planned. However, we are here today to reaffirm our commitment to execute and consolidate our policies and programmes for the maximum benefit of our people.
REVIEW OF THE 2023 BUDGET PERFORMANCE
4. It is customary for us to review our performance in the out-going year before presenting the budget proposal for the in-coming fiscal year. It could be recalled that a total sum of One Hundred and Sixty-Three Billion, Five Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand Naira (N163,005,366.000.00) was approved to cater for both capital and recurrent expenditure of the 2023 fiscal year.
5. The actual receipts that accrued into the coffers of the state from the Federation Account Allocation, Internally Generated Revenue and other sources including the Opening Balance covering the period of January to September 2023 stood at One Hundred and Thirteen Billion, Fifty-Eight Million, One Hundred and Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-Nine Naira (N113,058,102,539) translating to 69.4% of the approved budget. Out of the sum of Ninety-Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five Million, Seven Hundred and Seventeen Thousand Naira (N94,875,717,000.00) earmarked for recurrent expenditure in the 2023 Budget, the actual amount expended was Sixty-Five Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Six Million, Six Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty-Six Naira (N65,996,618,366) representing 69.6% success.
The sum of Sixty-Eight Billion, One Hundred and Twenty-Nine Million, Six Hundred and Forty–Nine Thousand Naira (N68,129,649,000) was allocated for capital expenditure, however, the sum of Twenty-Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Nine Hundred and Ten Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira was the actual expenditure. (N28,862,910,126) indicating 42.4% success. The overall performance of the 2023 budget for both recurrent and capital expenditure was Ninety-Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Nine Million, Five Hundred and Twenty-Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety-Two Naira (N94,859,528,492) indicating 58.2% success as of 30th September 2023. The total receipts and expenditure are expected to increase before the end of the year.
6. The global economic meltdown and the subsidy removal had caused inflation, leading to a significant increase in the cost of project execution. Nonetheless, our performance is bound to increase before the fiscal year runs out at the end of December 2023. This Honourable Chamber may wish to note that our successes in 2023 include but are not limited to the following achievements:
i. The sum of Four Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-One Million, Five Hundred and Twenty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirteen Naira, Seventy -Six kobo N4,641,529,213.76 was expended on the construction of Geidam modern market, establishment of Sesame and Seeds Clearing and Packaging factories in Damaturu, Machina, Potiskum and Nguru; additional work at Potiskum Trailer Park; construction of Mega Shopping Mall in Damaturu; procurement and installation of 130 tons digital weigh bridge with complete accessories; provision of 500 KVA generator and other operational crane vehicles and other working tools for Potiskum Flour and Feed Mills. Funds were also released under the NG-CARES programme to support Small Scale and Medium Enterprises in the State.
ii). A total sum of Ten Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Three Hundred and Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eight Naira, Fifty Kobo (N10,295,302,808.50) was expended on the constructions, and rehabilitation of Damagum-Gubana, Dawasa-Chukuriwa-Kukuri, Bulanguwa-Kumagannam, Gashua-Masaba, Nguru-Bulanguwa, Geidam-Bukarti, Garin Bingel-Danchuwa, Bayamari-Yunusari, Kaliyari-Bayamari, Katarko-Goniri, Girgir-Garin Alkali, Chumbusko-Tagali, Biriri-Babbangida, Bukarti-Toshia, Gujba-Mutai, Nguru Highway-Karasuwa Galu, Fika-Malori, and Danchua-Jajere roads. The amount also covered the construction of Steel Pedestrian Bridge Crossing at the Damaturu, Gashua and Nguru Modern Markets, construction of drainages, culverts and rehabilitation of township roads and drainages in Damaturu, Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru, and Geidam, and other towns across the State.
iii. We have provided the sum of Five Billion, Sixty-Five Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-Eight Naira, Forty-one Kobo (N5,065,838,248.41) for the electrical works and the full operational take-off of the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport. This also covers urban and rural electrification drive through the provision of transformers, inter-community connectivity, upgrading of power installations and provision of solar streetlights in various locations across the State.
iv. The sum of One Billion, One Hundred Million, Four Hundred and Forty-five Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Two Naira, Forty-five Kobo (N1,100,445,432.45) was released for drilling and rehabilitation of boreholes, provision of generators, reticulation and other water supply activities in various locations spread across the State.
v. The sum of Eight-Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million, Thirty-Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-nine Naira, Six Kobo (N828,032,429.06) was incurred for the completion of the Nasari Livestock Development Center (LDC) and commencement of work at the Badegana and Gurjiyaje LDCs, Nguru Stock Development Centre as well as the agricultural components of the Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES). The amount also included cost of procurement of fertilizers, provision of other agricultural inputs to support rain-fed and irrigation activities as well as livestock production to accelerate post-insurgency recovery in various communities of the 17 LGAs.
vi. We spent a total sum of One Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Sixty-six Thousand, Six Hundred and Three Naira (N1,868,666,603.00) for the procurement of medical equipment for the newly upgraded General Hospitals, Ministry of Health, anti-bacterial curtain tracker system for the newly constructed Maternal and Child Health Complex at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH). The funds also included the cost for construction of Maternity, Accident and Emergency complex, Doctors’ quarters, and other essential structures as well as the provision of furniture and medical equipment and consumables to the Specialist Hospital Buni Yadi, renovation and expansion of other hospital structures and payment of counterpart funds for routine immunization across the State.
vii. A total sum of Seven Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Eight Naira (N768,534,648.00) was expended on the ongoing renovation of five schools namely, GGC, Damaturu, GGSS Ngelzarma, GSTC Damagum, GDSS Gashua and GSS Damaturu. The cost also covers the renovation of other schools across the State and distribution of computers/ICT equipment, textbooks and other vital teaching and learning materials, payment for examination and tuition fees, among others.
viii. In the Governance Sector, a total sum of Four Billion, Eighty-Four Million, Five Hundred and Fourteen Thousand, One Hundred and Four Naira (N4,084,514,104.00) was incurred for the provision of official and utility vehicles to the Judiciary and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Construction and renovation of office structures, procurement of new office for the NDLEA, furniture and equipment for MDAs, staff training, compensation, consultancy services and Hajj operations.
THE 2024 BUDGET
Budget Policy
7. Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, the 2024 Budget is geared towards the completion of ongoing projects and funding of new ones. In the light of the financial constraints, and our commitment to move the state forward, our budget for the year 2024 will prioritize key sectors and programmes that directly impact on the lives of our citizens.
8. It is for this reason that we have tagged the 2024 Budget as the “BUDGET OF CONSOLIDATION AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY”. To achieve this, we have proposed a total sum of Two Hundred and Seventeen Billion Naira Only (N217,000,000,000.00) for capital, recurrent, overhead and personnel costs. Out of this amount, the total sum of Ninety-Four Billion, One Hundred and Fifty-Six Million Naira only (N94,156,000,000) representing 43.39% is proposed as recurrent expenditure, while the total sum of One Hundred and Twenty-Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty-four million Naira only (N122,844,000,000) representing 56.61% is allocated for capital expenditure.
9. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, Distinguished Guests, ladies, and gentlemen, I want to reassure you that the government will remain steadfast in its commitment to the progress and development of our dear state. Our target has always been driven by a strong commitment to the well-being and prosperity of our state.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2024 BUDGET
10. This budget will focus on the following: –
(a) ADMINISTRATION
11. This sector has been allocated the sum of Twenty-Six Billion, Six Hundred and Eighty-Two Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand Naira Only (N26,682,236,000.00) for both its capital and recurrent expenditure. The sector comprises of the Government House, House of Assembly, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Office of the Head of Service, Ministry of Home Affairs Information and Culture, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ethical Re-orientation, State Independent Electoral Commission, Civil Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission, State and Local Government Auditors-Generals’ Offices, among others.
12. In the upcoming fiscal year, we will focus on providing conducive working atmosphere for the Civil Servants and public officeholders. In this respect, we would intensify efforts towards completion of the Ministry of Budget Office complex, Multipurpose Hall, NLC Secretariat and additional work at the I.B.B Secretariat. Renovations of various offices and, the provision of office furniture and equipment have also been allocated funds in the 2024 budget proposal. Official and utility vehicles would also be made available to some MDAs including the Judiciary. Government would also support the training of civil servants to build their capacity and enhance productivity.
(b) ECONOMIC SECTOR
13. The sum of One Hundred and Seven Billion, Two Hundred and Thirteen Million Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira Only (N107,213,280,000) is allocated to this sector to cover the capital and recurrent expenditure for the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Transport and Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation, Internal Revenue Service, Rural Electrification Board, Water Cooperation, Housing and Property Development Cooperation, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, among others.
14. To stimulate economic growth, government would ensure the completion of Potiskum and Geidam Modern Markets, Potiskum Trailer Park, Damaturu Mega Shopping Mall as well as for the rehabilitation, upgrading and capitalization of all the Government-owned Companies, completion of the Sesame Seeds Processing and Packaging factories in Damaturu, Potiskum, Machina and Nguru towns, renovation of Ministry of Commerce Zonal offices and Gogaram Chalets.
15. Investing in infrastructure is vital to the development of our state, we will continue to make strategic investments in power supply for industrial and domestic use. In addition, government will pursue with vigour the completion of the 500KVA relief sub-station in Kannamma. More towns and villages would also be connected to the national grid; provision of integrated streetlights in Damaturu the state capital and the five major towns of Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru, Geidam and Buni Yadi, as well as the reinstallation of traffic lights in some strategic locations within the Damaturu metropolis. The funds would also cater for the completion of all electrification projects.
16. I wish to reassure you that, government would work tirelessly to ensure the completion of all inter-community and township roads, and drainages across the state. In line with the urban renewal drive of our administration, government will construct a central flyover in Damaturu, and provide infrastructure for the proposed Damaturu Green Economic City and Damaturu Industrial Park.
17. To provide modern infrastructure and subsidized transport services for our people, we have proposed to purchase commuter buses, build standard terminus, and rehabilitate Workshop for Yobe Line transport company. Modern Motor Parks would also be constructed in Damaturu, Potiskum Nguru, Buni-Yadi and Gashua towns.
18. In the Agricultural Sub-sector we will establish two livestock development centres at Gurjiyaje and Badegana as contained in memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government. The use of power tillers in agricultural production will be greatly enhanced through the procurement of cultivators, ridgers, planters, and improved seedlings for distribution to farmers. Efforts will also be made to provide modern storage facilities to support food security. The Youth Empowerment Farm Programme will be further boosted to provide gainful employment opportunities for our teeming youth through rain-fed crop production and irrigation development. Animal Health programmes will be improved through the provision of drugs and vaccines while animal production activities will be enhanced through artificial insemination, development of artisanal and aquaculture fisheries and reactivation of dormant hatcheries.
(c) LAW PEACE AND JUSTICE
19. A total sum of Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety- Nine Million and Twenty Thousand Naira Only (N3,899,020,000) has been earmarked for this sector to finance capital and recurrent expenses of the Judicial Service Commission, High Court of Justice, Sharia Court Division, Sharia Court of Appeal, Rent Tribunal, and the Ministry of Justice, among others.
20. In our continuous efforts, to ensure speedy dispensation of Justice, two new high Courts will be constructed in Buni Yadi, and Potiskum, Magistrate Court at Yusufari and Judges and Magistrate residences in the three geo-political zones. We would continue to improve the capacity of our Judges through participation in International and National training workshops and symposiums.
(d) SOCIAL SECTOR
21. Under this sector, the total sum of Seventy-Nine Billion, Two Hundred and Five Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand Naira Only (N79,205,464,000) has been proposed for both capital and recurrent expenditure for the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Ministry of Higher Education Science and Technology, Ministry of Youth Sports Social and Community Development, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs among others.
22. In the area of providing accessible and affordable healthcare delivery services to the people, we intend to provide new accommodation facilities for staff in Potiskum, Geidam and Gashua Specialist hospitals, renovate Nangere and Fika General hospitals. Efforts would also be made on construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of the remaining forty Primary Healthcare Centres across the State. Our package would include other aspects of healthcare delivery towards achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals in the State.
23. It is heartwarming that we have this year met the Abuja Declaration of allocating 15 per cent of the total budget to our health sector. We are optimistic that this will promote healthcare delivery in the state.
24. In our concerted effort to increase the vegetation cover of the State, we will embark on mass seed production to establish road site plantation, landscaping, resuscitation, and maintenance of 300-hectare gum Arabic plantation. The Environment and Climate Change Adaptation Project will commence. This is a project that will be funded by the African Development Bank. The State Government has paid its counterpart funds under this project, 40 million assorted seedlings will be planted over a period of five years. It entails the planting of two-kilometre shelterbelt, 2-kilometre woodlot, orchard, sand dune fixation, and oases rehabilitation in each of the 178 electoral wards of the State, through the Ministry of Environment, Environmental and Climate change adaptation project (African Development Bank Funded) and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape Project (ACReSAL).
25. In our drive to provide a healthy environment, government will procure Sanitation Earth Moving Machines and sanitary equipment for excavation and evacuation of drainages and refuse dumps.
26. In addition to procurement of teaching and learning materials and payment for school feeding, tuition and examination fees, our strides towards the revitalization of basic education would be scaled up with the provision of Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Seven Million, Two Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand Naira (N9,877,261,000) to cover the cost of the construction of GGDSS Dagona, GDSSS Gadaka, GDSS Gashua, GSS Yunusari, GSTC Damaturu, GSS Damaturu, GGUC Damaturu, GHIC Nguru, GGSS Ngelzarma and other schools and also the provision of other schools facilities and materials for extra-curricular activities. The sum of One Billion Five Hundred Million Naira (N1,500,000,000) is also provided for meeting our counterpart funding obligation for the Universal Basic Education programme.
27. We would also sustain our tempo at the higher education level with the construction and rehabilitation of new offices, hostel accommodation, staff quarters, and other school structures for conducive academic pursuits in the higher institutions of learning.
CONCLUSION
28. Let me use this opportunity to specially commend and appreciate the leadership and entire members of the Yobe State House of Assembly for your support and cooperation. The cordial working relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government has no doubt contributed to the modest achievements recorded by this administration. I look forward to a more rewarding and fulfilling partnership to serve our people better.
29. Similarly, on behalf of the government and people of Yobe state, l wish to extend our profound gratitude to the President and Commander in Chief, His Excellency President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR, the gallant officers and men of the Security agencies and vigilante groups, and the development partners for their support in our post insurgency recovery programme.
30. May l once again express my deepest appreciation and profound gratitude to the good people of Yobe State, for the show of ample faith in the policies and programmes of this administration. I salute you all for your continuous loyalty, solidarity, support, and cooperation to this administration without which we could not have achieved what we have recorded so far. Special mention must be made of your resilience in the face of the removal of the fuel subsidy.
31. Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, I have brought to the Honourable House these Bills with strong conviction, optimism, and hope that they shall as usual, receive meticulous scrutiny, objective assessment, fair deliberations, smooth and speedy passage by the special grace of Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala.
32. Finally, it is now my singular honour, duty, and privilege to present the proposed 2024 Appropriation and Finance Bills this Tuesday, the 14th day of November 2023.
I wish you Allah’s guidance in your deliberations, Ameen.
I thank you all.