Sokoto state governor Tambuwal presents N174.3b budget (photos)

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri
Tambuwal, today Wednesday Dec. 30th
presented a budget estimate of N174.35
billion Naira for the 2016 fiscal year with
education getting the biggest sectoral
allocation of 29 percent. Presenting the report
before the state House of Assembly,
Tambuwal revealed that the sum of N123.8
billion Naira has been set aside for Capital
expenditure while N50.5 billion Naira has
been set aside for Recurrent expenditure.
He said education got the larget allocation in
order to underscore his recent policy of
declaration of state of emergency in the
sector.
According to him: "The policy thrust of the
Budget is to ensure sustainable development
of the State by focusing on the critical sectors
of investment in Education, Agriculture,
Health, Environment Solid Minerals and Rural
Development.
"The Budget will also pay adequate attention
to the implementation of various intervention
programmes in the area of poverty reduction;
to address critical targets of Sustainable
Development Goals so as to achieve the
aspirations of the citizenry for a meaningful
life," he added.
Tambuwal said among the key policy thrust of
the budget is the sustenance of peace and
security in the State, improving the quality of
education and healthcare delivery, diversifying
the economy by harnessing the agricultural
sector and solid minerals deposits; improving
the revenue base of the state and plugging all
leakages thereby ensuring accountability and
transparency in the management of
resources.
He said the recurrent expenditure was
reduced in order to build up capital which will
directly impact on the lives of the people. "We
hope to strengthen public service capacity for
good governance, develop human capital,
empower our youth, reduce poverty and
protect our environment. "We will provide
critical utilities that will give citizens fulfilling
life to enable them contribute to the overall
development process," he added.