From Yakubu Busari,Jos
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has explained that the 2023 approved budget estimate is higher than the 2022 with over N40 billion because his administration is determined to complete the ongoing projects in the state before it hands over to the next government.
This was disclosed by the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Nde Dan-Philip Hirkop during this year’s Budget Breakdown session, which held in the Conference room of the Cabinet Office, J. D Gomwalk Secretariat Jos, the state capital.
Other sub-sectoral breakdown of the 2023 budget is as follows:Education, Thirteen billion, Two Hundred and Sixty Six Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Four Naira (N13, 266, 496, 424) only representing 20.16 percent of the total capital estimate.
This is followed by Administrative sub-sector with Thirteen Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty Six Million Four Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Four Naira Fifty Kobo (N13, 266, 469, 424. 50) only representing 20.16 percent.
Others are; Finance and Economic sub-sector, Seven billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Naira (N7, 850, 947,849.00) only representing 11.93 percent, Works and Transport, Five billion, Nine Hundred and Sixty Seven Million, Thirty Thousand Naira (5, 967, 030,000.00) only, representing 9.06 percent.
Health sub-sector got three billion, Seven Hundred and Twenty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and One Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty Five Naira (3, 728, 901, 125.00) only representing 5.66 percent.
Agriculture and Rural Development was allocated Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Five Million, Four Hundred and Forty Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Seven Naira (N2, 805, 442, 977.00) only representing 4.26 percent.
Environment and Mineral, Two Billion got One Hundred and Seventy Five Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Seven Naira (N2, 175, 377, 327.00) only representing 3.30 percent. Law and Justice, Two Billion, One Hundred and Twenty Four Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy Thousand Naira (2, 124, 870, 000.00) only representing 3.22 percent.
Lands, Housing and Urban Development got One Billion, One Hundred and Seventy Three Million, Two Hundred and Eighty Eight Thousand Naira (N1,173, 288,000.00) only representing 1.78 percent of the capital budget to finance their projects.
Information and Communication, Six Hundred and Sixty One Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Four Hundred Naira (N661, 330, 409.00) only representing 1.05 percent.
Women, Youths and Sports Development got Two Hundred and Thirty Three Million, Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira (N233, 290,000.00) only representing 0.35 percent of the total capital budget.
Commerce and Industry, One Hundred and Fourteen Million, Six Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira (N114, 660, 000.00) only, representing 0.17 percent.
In attendance was a cross section of Directors and Management staff of Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The 2023 Budget, tagged, “Budget of Infrastructural Consolidation and Transition” is aimed at adding more value to consolidate on the past achievements of the Governor Lalong Administration before transition in other to leave a prosperous Plateau, the Hon. Commissioner stated.
He further noted that the vision and the desire of the Government was centred on completing on-going projects, (especially critical ones that have direct impact on the lives of the citizens) before the end of the tenure.
In the light of the above, the Honourable Commissioner called on all Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to implement the budget according to the principle of budgeting implementation.
“Stakeholders and Civil Society Organizations are also advice to assess and monitor all the programs and projects cited in their domain and also imbibe the spirit of maintenance culture as the primary beneficiaries.
“Let me quickly put it on record that, the Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainablility (SFTAS) programme is on course in the state, therefore, MDAs are expected to comply in order to attract grants for the state”, the Commissioner said.
Hon. Hirkop also commended the rescue Administration in the state and most especially the leader of the rescue team, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong for his tireless effort to transform and effect positive changes in the lives of people of Plateau despite all challenges.
He equally appreciated the people of the state for their cooperation since the inception of the Lalong Administration.
The Plateau State 2023 Budget has a size of One Hundred and Fourty Nine Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty One Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety One Naira (N149, 951, 334, 591.00).
