From Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on Thursday signed the state’s 2022 budget of N189.2 billion into law.
The governor had on Nov.18,2021, presented the proposal budget to the State House of Assembly for consideration and passage.
He expressed delight that the budget has been passed almost at the same time the Federal Budget was passed by the National Assembly .
Bagudu said, ” these are milestones that we want Nigerians to appreciate.
” President Muhammadu Buhari had hitherto variously decried that one of his challenging periods was when the former National Assembly took over six months without passing the budget.
” However, there are now some tremendous improvements at both the national and state assemblies and that is now history.”
The Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum further noted that the state House of Assembly has always been equal to the task.
In the same vein, Bagudu stated that the Assembly has also been up and doing always.
Bagudu expressed delight that the Assembly had passed both the Legislative and Judicial Autonomy Laws.
Other laws passed by the Assembly according to the governor were the VAPP, Child Rights and Fiscal Responsibility Acts.
Bagudu said that these laws and myriad of other laws aimed at further making lives easier for the generality of the people of the state.
He commended the various stakeholders, CSOs, NGOs, Media , Open Government Partners and Public Service, especially the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning who led the preparations for the budget.
” The budget has been passed with little modifications and this is a very significant measure.
” Even the state’s Industrial Development Plan will soon be ready and would soon be launched,” Bagudu, disclosed.
He enumerated several other landmarks achievements of the state, including emerging in the second category of the fiscal responsibility and accountability framework.
” This is a world bank programme and the state has already gotten $ 6million in this direction,” the governor explained.
Bagudu acknowledged the mutual working relationship between the three tiers of government, all in the interest of the people of the state.
He also said Kebbi State has been adjudged to be among five states in the country with the lowest spending on recurrent expenditure.
Bagudu also acknowledged the hard work and performance of the Commissioner for ICT who made it possible for Kebbi State to secure runnner’s up position in the country in Digital Technology and Capital Development extending similar commendation to the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planing for his excellent performance in the Ministry.
The governor was also appreciative of the shining position of the state which has continued to attract world attention especially in Agricultural production leading to the influx of investors into the State.
Meanwhile, Bagudu has promised to release over N4 billion for the payment of gratuities to retired workers.
” This money will be released in the next few days ,but ,this will only be done when the required data of the beneficiaries is adequately streamlined,” Bagudu, added.
At the end, he congratulated the people of Kebbi State for their support and loyalty to his administration, praying God to usher in the new year 2022 with prosperity and peace for Kebbi State.
Earlier, the Speaker Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Muhammad Abubakar Lolo while presenting the 2022 budget to the governor said the House passed the bill on 21st, December, 2021.
He said that in line with their earlier promise of a speedy passage of the bill, the House this Thursday presented 8 copies of the bill for the governor’s assent.
‘ Your Excellency today 23rd of December,2021,the House is glad to present 8 copies of the bill for your assent “, he said.
The Speaker promised that the State legislators would work hand in hand with executive arm of Government to ensure proper implementation of the budget for the benefit of the State.
The Deputy Governor, rtd Col. Samaila Yombe Dabai, Chief of Staff Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, Jarman Kabi, SSG, Babale Umar Yauri, Acting Head of Service, Sufyanu Garba Bena, Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, Head of Parastatals and Government Agencies as well as members of the Kebbi State House of Assembly were present at the event.
