Rabiu Omaku
Nasarawa state Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has presented a total budget of N77, 917,126,799 for 2016 fiscal year, The Governor opined that top emphasis would be accorded to Education, Health and Agriculture.
Al-Makura who tagged the budget “budget of pragmatism” buttressed that he would ensured the total expansion, renovations of schools as well award scholarship to all tertiary indigent students, He added that his administration would enhance the dwindling and falling standard of education.
He further stated that utmost attention would be given to the education of people leaving with disability, As well as promote science education, Al-Makura affirmed that the free education system from secondary and primary schools has come to stay, He averred that emphasis would be put in place for the recruitment of pivotal teachers, while the 1,500 health workers and 1,500 youth under the Nasarawa Youth Empowerment Scheme would be engaged.
The Governor asserted that the current expenditure of N43,335,912,339 represent 55% of the budget while the capital expenditure of N34,581,214,460 represents 44% of the budget.
He also promised to enhance water supply to Nasarawa Eggon, Keffi and Daddere Development Area, Agricultural liberalization with topmost attention on extension workers.
Other priorities are completion of ongoing projects, commissioning of special schools in the three senatorial zones
-Market and rural development
-Youth /human empowerment
-expand the transport sector
The Governor however maintained that “Is no longer business as usual
Education—-N17.05bn
Youth and Sport -N1.04
Works, Housing and Transport-N9.5bn
Environment-N98m
Agriculture and Water Resource-N2.8bn
Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives-N1.7bn
Health-N6.67bn
Information, Culture and Tourism-N593m
Judiciary-N763m
Land and Town Planning-N7.21bn
Rural and Community Development-N1.87bn
Finance -8.81bn
Gen Administration-N14.3bn
Women Affairs-N105m
Others are
Federation Account-N30bn
Value Added Tax (VAT) -N10bn
Excess Crude oil—-N250m
Internally Generated Revenue-8.92bn
Grants-6.24bn
Bond-N5bn
CBN intervention fund-N10bn
Commercial bank- N1bn
The speaker of the House of Assembly, Honorable Ibrahim Balarabe applauded the state Governor for carrying all and sundry along, He assured the Governor of a speedy passage of the appropriation bill into law, The bill has yesterday passed through first reading.