Governor Nasiru Elrufai of Kaduna State has presented a budget proposal of over two hundred and thirty three billion naira before the State House Assembly for consideration .
While presenting the Budget, governor Elrufai said the proposed capital component of the budget was over 146 billion naira while the recurrent expenditure was over 87 billion naira.
Governor Elrufai said the draft 2022 budget estimates are based on the following considerations which include limiting the size of budget strictly in conformity with the realisable revenues in the light of post Covid 19 economy.
“Providing funds for project from start to finish while taking into cognisance ongoing project and Inheritance capital liabilities”
“The uncertainties unleashed by the Covid 19 Pandemic make it even more important to embrace physical realism” as sub national our Economic parameters are alike with those of the federal government of Nigeria as outlined in the budget presented by President Mohammadu Buhari to the National Assembly last week”
He explained that, the budget estimates when approved is projected to have a capital to recurrent ratio of sixty three percent capital and thirty seven percent recurrent.
According to the governor, the 2022 budget estimate are slightly smaller than the 2021 Budget estimates
Elrufai maintained that, the state government proposed to devote seventy six Percent of the Capital budget to schools, hospitals and infrastructures including low income housing.
He pointed out that capital spending on education is over 68.4 billion naira while for health 35.1 billion naira.
Governor Nasiru Elrufai while giving the break down of the capital expenditure of budget estimate of over 146 billion naira, said the major sectors are Agriculture, Business, Innovation and Technology, Housing and Urban Development with Public Works and Infrastructure taking the lion share of over 36.9 billion naira.
According to him, in the Social Sector, Education will have over 44 billion, health 22 billion, social development would have about 0.7 billion, adding that, Environment and Natural Resources as well as Water Sector will account for 8 billion naira while General Administration will have a total of about 18 billion naira
Malam Nasiru Elrufai also told members of the state house assembly that by the early 2022, the state government would Inaugurate the Gujeni Iron and Steel plant of the Africa Natural Resources and Minings Company in Kagarko local government.
According to him, the plant would be the first to produce iron and Steel in Nigeria.
The proposed 2022 budget was tagged” Budget of Sustainable Growth”
In a remark, the Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Zailani promised to ensure speedy consideration of the budget to improve the lives of the people of the state.
He also commended the governor for the meaningful projects being executed across, urging him not to relent.
AMINU DALHATU