Budget 2024: Buni Presents N217 Billion Appropriation Bill For Yobe

By Bukar Bolori

Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has presented an appropriation bill of N217 billion for 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

Buni, presented the bill tagged: “Budget of Consolidation and Economic Recovery,” said N217 billion would take care capital, recurrent, overhead and personnel expenditures.

He noted that out of this amount, the total sum of N94.2 billion representing 43.39% is proposed as recurrent expenditure, while the total sum of N122.8 billion representing 56.61% is allocated for capital expenditure.

The governor during the presentation, said: “I want to reassure you that the government will remain steadfast in its commitment to the progress and development of our dear state. Our target has always been driven by a strong commitment to the well-being and prosperity of our state.”

He said this budget will focus on the administration sector where it has been allocated the sum N26.7 billion for both its capital and recurrent expenditure, under this are: 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-Generals’ Offices, among others.

He said: “In the upcoming fiscal year, we will focus on providing a conducive working atmosphere for the Civil Servants and public officeholders. In this respect, we would intensify efforts towards completion of the Ministry of Budget Office complex, Multipurpose Hall, NLC Secretariat and additional work at the I.B.B Secretariat. Renovations of various offices and, the provision of office furniture and equipment have also been allocated funds in the 2024 budget proposal. Official and utility vehicles would also be made available to some MDAs including the Judiciary. Government would also support the training of civil servants to build their capacity and enhance productivity.

“The sum of One Hundred and Seven Billion, Two Hundred and Thirteen Million Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira Only (N107,213,280,000) is allocated to this sector to cover the capital and recurrent expenditure for the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Transport and Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation, Internal Revenue Service, Rural Electrification Board, Water Cooperation, Housing and Property Development Cooperation, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, among others.”

The governor said in order to stimulate economic growth, government would ensure the completion of Potiskum and Geidam Modern Markets, Potiskum Trailer Park, Damaturu Mega Shopping Mall as well as for the rehabilitation, upgrading and capitalization of all the Government-owned Companies, completion of the Sesame Seeds Processing and Packaging factories in Damaturu, Potiskum, Machina and Nguru towns, renovation of Ministry of Commerce Zonal offices and Gogaram Chalets.

He noted that: “Investing in infrastructure is vital to the development of our state, we will continue to make strategic investments in power supply for industrial and domestic use. In addition, the government will pursue with vigour the completion of the 500KVA relief sub-station in Kannamma. More towns and villages would also be connected to the national grid; the provision of integrated streetlights in Damaturu the state capital and the five major towns of Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru, Geidam and Buni Yadi, as well as the reinstallation of traffic lights in some strategic locations within the Damaturu metropolis. The funds would also cater for the completion of all electrification projects”.

He added that: “I wish to reassure you that, the government would work tirelessly to ensure the completion of all inter-community and township roads, and drainages across the state. In line with the urban renewal drive of our administration, the government will construct a central flyover in Damaturu, and provide infrastructure for the proposed Damaturu Green Economic City and Damaturu Industrial Park.”