The Plateau state Governor RT. Hon Bako Lalong has present a budget estimate of 145 Billion Naira before the state grouse of assembly for the 2018 fiscal year.
The budget tagged “BUDGET OF RESCUE AND CONSOLIDATION”, when pass by the maker according to Governor Lalong shall help in consolidating on the gains and achievements of the administration since the beginning of our Rescue Mission.
The Budget has a total size of One Hundred and Forty-Five Billion, Four Hundred and Eighty-Eight Million, Sixty-Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-Two Naira (N145,488,066,352.00) only.
The Governor said the increase in the 2018 estimated budget is largely due to increase in certain Recurrent Expenditures and the fact that the Country is going out of recession and the hope that economy is getting better; thereby improving the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) potentials of the State.
According to E-Reporter News correspondent who witnessed the presentation, ttotal break down of the budget is as follows:
The Recurrent Revenue in the 2018 budget is estimated at Seventy-Six Billion, Five Hundred and Thirty Four Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty One Thousand, Three Hundred Ninety-Three Naira out of which (N21,166,091,714.0
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Thirty Six Billion, Five Hundred Million, (N36,500,000,000.00) as Revenue from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) derived from the projection of Federal Government’s MTEF variables and figures released as well as projection from the state’s MTSS. Other revenue projections include Eighteen Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy-Nine Naira (N18,869,659,679.00) only as Reimbursements from the Federal Government for the Federal Roads constructed by the State Government.
While the sum of 34billion was earmarked for capital receipts which consist of VAT value added tax
(N9,500,000,000.00), Refunds from Paris and London Club Loans; Ten Billion Naira (N10,000,000,000.00). Three Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (N3,754,813,700.00) only is for Draw Downs from Donor Projects. The sum of Six Billion Naira (N6,000,000,000.00) only is estimated for External Loans.
He however pointed out that the fiscal budget for 2018 had a deficit of the sum of Thirty Four Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty-One Million, Five Hundred and One Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Nine Naira (N34,361,501,259.00) representing 23.62% of the budget size. The deficit is to finance the expenditure side of the estimate and will be draw from both internal sources if the need arises during the implementation of the budget.
The Budget has a Recurrent Expenditure estimate of Seventy-Five Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty-One Million, Forty-Five Thousand,
While the proposed capital expenditure in this budget is Sixty-Nine Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Twenty-One Thousand and Sixty Naira (N69,647,021,060.00) only. This represents 48.87% of the total estimate. The breakdown of the capital estimate based on the sectors .
He reiterated his administration commitment to improved the fallen standard of education in the state.
“This administration is fully committed to improving the fallen standard of education in the State. Therefore, the sum of Eleven Billion, Seven Hundred and Forty-Four Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Seven Naira. (N11,744,754,607.00) only, representing 16.86% of the capital budget for this purpose, he said.
Agriculture is a sector that desires serious attention as a major provider of employment. Governments at all levels are shifting attention to turn-around the economy of Nigeria through this sector and Plateau State cannot be left out. In this budget, the sum of Three Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N3,631,850,000.00) only is estimated for Agricultural Programmes, representing 5.21 percent of the estimate. Major projects and programmes include subsidy on Fertilizer, Tractorization, General Livestock Development and Special Intervention Programme in Agriculture, are projects also included in this budget.
Establishment and Management of Ranches has been introduced in the proposed budget. This will curb the activities of cattle owners and Herdsmen or Rearers, which is the major cause of crises in the State and Nation at Plateau Radio Television.
The estimate for the Health sub-sector is Four Billion, Three Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty-One Naira (N4,355,354,841.00) representing 6.25 percent of the capital budget.
On works and transportation
“To further consolidate on the gains of this Rescue Administration, we have laid great emphasis on Infrastructural Development of the State. The sum of Eighteen Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two Million Naira (N18,852,000,0
For Ministry of Lands and Survey, the sum four Billion, One Hundred and Fourteen Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty- Eight Naira (N4,114,520,488.00) 5.91 percent of the capital estimate is estimated in the budget to cover programs in thi Geographic Information System (PLGIS) takes off, and the reduction in cost of land tittles by 50%, our people will be able to process their certificate with ease.
The Sum of Three Billion Five Hundred and Two Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N3,502,800,000.00) only is estimated for Water, Energy and Sanitation in the budget, representing 5.03 percent. In realization of the importance of Water and Energy to human existence, Government in the past have sunk a lot of resources towards its Improvement.
The sum of Two Billion, Eight hundred and Seventy-One Million, One Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira (N2,871,125,000,000.00) is allocated to this sub-sector in the budget. More attention will be given to the fertilizer production to make input easily accessible to our farmers.
On tourism and hospitality,Governor Lalong said the government is
making concerted efforts to harness all the tourism potentials in the State. To this end, the sum of Three Hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N354,900,000.00) only is allocated in the budget.
” This administration will continue to give our Women and Youth a prime place to participate actively in the governance process. To achieve this, the sum of Nine Hundred and Fifty-Two Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N952,200,000.00) only is allocated for their Programs.
One Billion Forty-Three Million One Hundred and Ninety-seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty Seven Naira(N1,043,197,927.00) only for the preservation of environment and Mineral Resources Development
The judiciary will also be given a desired attention as the High Court Complex under construction will be completed during the year, while other courts in dilapidated conditions will be renovated for the effective dissemination of Justice in the state.
For effective information dissemination and management, the sum of One Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand, Thirteen Naira (N1,379,928,013.00) only is estimated in the budget representing 1.98 percent. This amount is for the provision of facilities, equipment and renovation of offices at Plateau.
On his speech ,the speaker Hon. Peter Azi assured the Governor ,the law maker’s commitment to do justice to the appropriation bill by ensuring the budget is pass without delay.
