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.