By Saminu Ibrahim
Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has presented the 2021 fiscal appropriation bill, before the State House of Assembly, pegged at N112, 923, 174, 543, with education/science & ICT taking the lion share with 31.35%.
Engineer Sule presented the budget estimates at a ceremony, on Tuesday.
Tagged “Budget of Economic Recuperation”, the 2021 Appropriation Bill according to the Governor, is a budget of Economic recovery and revitalization, aimed at addressing some of the negative economic challenges witnessed in 2020.
Engineer Sule disclosed that the 2021 budget is made up of N51, 050, 456, 817, representing 45.21%, as recurrent expenditure, while capital expenditure is estimated at N54, 854, 985, 695, representing 48.58%.
The Governor further disclosed that another sum of N7, 017, 732, 031, representing 6.21%, has been allocated to the Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges, for the servicing of debt, pension and gratuity.
Like the previous budget, the 2021 sectoral allocation saw education/science $ ICT takes the lion share with N35.4bn, representing 31.35%, followed by infrastructure with N19.6bn, representing 17.36%.
Others are health, 11.4bn (10.10%), environment and natural resources, N10.4bn (9.21%), agriculture and natural resources, N6.5bn (5.76%) and finance/investment/trade, N5.7bn (5,05%).
N14.3bn was earmarked for general administration.
Highlights of the 2021 budget include, completion of ongoing construction of the Karu Mega Bus Terminal, N1bn, completion of the ongoing construction of the Lafia Mega Bus Terminal, N700m, completion of the Mararaba-Udege road, N1.3bn and ongoing construction of the 65km Kwandere-Keffi road, N500m.
Others are, completion of ongoing construction of 15km Sisinbaki-Farin Ruwa road, N1.3bn, construction of proposed state secretariat complex, N1bn, rehabilitation/repairs of public facilities, N1.3bn, general intervention in electricity sector, N1.5bn, water supply, N700m, construction of urban roads in Lafia and other urban centres, N4bn, rural roads and other basic infrastructure, N2bn, construction of Doma-Agbashi-Akpanaja-Benue border, N1bn, construction of Nasarawa-Ara road, N500m, construction of 2km Idadu-agbashi road, N500m, as well as N1bn for development, compensation and provision of facilities at Koroduma, Race Course and others.
While re-emphasizing that the principles of transparency and accountability will continue to guide his administration, aimed at pursuing standards, as well as ensure judicious management of government resources, the Governor said the budget is anchored on the collective desire to continue to improve the developmental landscape for the prosperity of the people.
Engineer Sule promised to complete all ongoing projects, including those projects started by his administration.
“I wish to reiterate that the attainment of our development objectives contained in this budget rest squarely on our continuous commitment, dedication, sacrifice and enduring partnership,” he stated.
