Buni Proposes N320.8bn Budget For 2025 In Yobe

Hon. Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe State, has presented the State House of Assembly with a proposed budget of N320.8 billion for the fiscal year 2025.

The governor, while presenting the Appropriation Bill, titled “Budget of Economic Consolidation and Poverty Reduction” to the members of the assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Buba Chiroma-Mashio, at the Yobe State House of Assembly complex in Damaturu on Thursday, stated that N144.04 billion, representing 44.9%, is proposed as recurrent expenditure, while N176.8 billion, representing 55.1%, is allocated for capital expenditure.

Buni, while highlighting the breakdown, stated that the government would focus on four sectors: economic, social, administrative, law, peace, and justice.

He stated: “The economic sector will continue to play an important role in the state’s rapid growth and socioeconomic development agenda. A total of One Hundred and Fifty-six Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty-one Million, Eight Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Naira (N156,931,818,000) is allocated to cover capital and recurrent expenditure, while the social sector has been earmarked with a total of One Hundred and Eight Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty-nine Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-six Thousand Naira (N108,469,366,000) to fund both capital and recurrent expenditure.

“Similarly, the administrative sector consists of the Government House, House of Assembly, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Office of the Head of Service, Ministry of Home Affairs Information and Culture, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ethical Re-orientation, State Independent Electoral Commission, Civil Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission, State and Local Government Auditors-General’s Offices,

The Governor noted that the unfavourable exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar and the unabated inflation rate have continued to negatively impact the execution levels of projects and programmes.

He, however, said: “In keeping with the well-established tradition of linking our past and present with the future, l wish to give an account of the major achievements recorded during the outgoing fiscal year before presenting the 2025 budget proposal.

“This Honourable House may recall that a total sum of Two-Hundred and Sixteen Billion, Nine-Hundred and Fifty Million Naira N216,950,000,000 was approved to finance both capital and recurrent expenditure for the 2024 fiscal year.

” However, the actual revenue receipts from the Federation Account Allocation, Internally Generated Revenue and other sources including the State opening balance of accounts from January-September, 2024 stood at Two Hundred and Six Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-six Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty-three Naira (N206,996,593,833) implying 95.4% of the approved budget.

“Out of the sum of One-Hundred and Seven Billion, Four-Hundred and Thirteen Million, Forty-two Thousand Naira (N107,413,042,000) earmarked for recurrent expenditure in the 2024 Budget, the actual amount expended was Eighty-five Billion, Six-Hundred and Ninety-two Million, Nine-Hundred and Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty Naira (N85,692,902,380) representing 79.8% success as at 30th September 2024.

“The sum of One-Hundred and Nine Billion, Five-Hundred and Thirty-six Million, Nine-Hundred and Fifty-eight Thousand Naira (N109,536,958,000) was allocated for capital expenditure. However, the sum of Seventy-Nine Billion, Two-Hundred and Fifty-Six Million, Four-Hundred and sixty-Two Thousand, Five-Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira (N79,256,462,554) was the actual expenditure indicating 72.4% success.

” The overall performance of the 2024 budget for both recurrent and capital expenditure was One-Hundred and Sixty-four Billion, Nine-Hundred and Forty-Nine Million, Three-Hundred and Sixty-four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-four Naira (N164,949,364,934) indicating 76% success as of 30th September 2024. The volume of both the revenue and expenditure is expected to rise before the end of the year.”

He promised that: “Government would next year award contract for the remaining part of the Trans-Sahara road to complete linkage of the entire northern part of the state from Nguru-Kanamma. Similarly, the Government would construct access roads to link all the political wards in the respective local government areas.

“Others are the construction of Garin Bingel-Danchuwa road which has been completed, the ongoing Bukarti-Toshiya, Fika-Maluri, and Danchuwa-Jajere, Kanamma Junction-Yusufari, Gujba-Ngalda, as well as the rehabilitation of Geidam-Bukarti, and Damaturu-Gujba roads. The amount also covers expenditure for the construction of the four Damaturu City Gates, township roads and drainages in Ten Local Government Council Headquarters across the state, as well as erosion control along Gadaka road, among others.”

Responding, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Buba Chiroma-Mashio promised to carefully study the budget for further legislative action to give speedy passage into law.

He commended the governor for prudent management of the 2024 budget in completing ongoing projects such as roads and other critical infrastructures.