Being Text of the Speech by His Excellency, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, OON, (Garkuwan Doma) Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, on the Occasion of the Signing into Law of the 2008 Appropriation Bill, Tuesday, 18^th March 2008.

PROTOCOLS

It is with gratitude to God and a deep sense of fulfilment in the service of the people of Nasarawa State that I welcome you to this historic occasion of the signing into Law of the 2008 Appropriation Bill. This is an occasion that our people have looked forward to with great expectation as it provides the framework of our development initiatives.

2.      You will all recall that on the 28^th of December 2007, in the discharge of my constitutional responsibilities, I laid before the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, the 2008 Appropriation Bill tagged "Budget of Transformation". At that occasion, I clearly articulated our vision for the development of Nasarawa State and the roadmap for fulfilling this Administration's 13-point agenda. The Budget proposal was a bold statement of our ideas for a viable political system, economic development and social transformation of the State.

3.      I am aware that in considering the proposal, the Honourable Members of the House displayed a high sense of commitment to the development of the State. Indeed, they showed understanding of our strategic planning and development objectives. Let me therefore, express my appreciation and gratitude to the Rt. Hon. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly for the painstaking efforts and sacrifices they made to ensure the smooth passage of the bill for the good of our people.

4.      Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, by signing this bill into law, we are expressing this Administration's determination to adhere to the Policy Thrust of the budget as enunciated in my presentation to the House of Assembly. In this wise, let me reiterate that our efforts will be geared towards effective stimulation of socio-economic growth in the State, as well as increasing the pace of economic activities toward improving the fortunes of our people.

5.      These objectives informed our recommendation of a total budget size of Fifty-Three Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty-Eight Million, One Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira (N53,658,191,355.00) to the House. The Capital expenditure in our proposal was Thirty-two Billion, Thirty-Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-Three Naira (N32,039,861,293.00), while the sum of Twenty-One Billion, Six Hundred and Eighteen Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Sixty-Two Naira (N21,618,330,062.00) was estimated for Recurrent Expenditure.

6.      It is gratifying to note that the Honourable House, after discussing our proposal and making slight adjustments, has returned for my assent, a total budget size of Fifty-Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Two Million, Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty-Four Naira (N55,722,280,264.00). This represents an increase of Two Billion, Sixty-Four Million, Eighty-Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Nine Naira (2,064,088,909.00) between the proposal sent to the House and what I have just assented to today. It is further pleasing to note that this increase was not arbitrarily done by the House, but in consultation with the Executive, based on our shared vision for the holistic development of Nasarawa State.

7.      Ladies and gentlemen, with the passage of the Appropriation Bill, I would like to reassure the people of Nasarawa State and indeed our investors and development partners that our major areas of focus in the 2008 budget will be:

1.      Ensuring adequate security of lives and property;

2.      Accelerated rural and urban transformation;

3.      Increased agricultural production for the attainment of food security and sufficiency;

4.      Provision of qualitative and affordable education at all levels;

5.      Improvement of healthcare delivery and reduction of disease burden;

6.      Creation of economic opportunities, stimulating wealth creation and reducing poverty;

7.      Development of tourism as a major economic activity;

8.      Promotion of solid mineral development; and,

9.      Control of environmental degradation.

8.      This Administration is now fully set to begin the implementation of projects as contained in the budget. Our development initiatives and priority areas of expenditure shall however be defined by available resources and the provisions of the budget. I therefore call on all our Chief Executives, Accounting Officers and indeed the bureaucracy in the State, to take cognizance of this in proposing expenditure.

9.      Ladies and gentlemen, I must not fail to stress once more that this Administration is committed to the entrenchment of a regime of zero tolerance for corruption in the public service. Our civil servants are therefore called upon to exercise the highest standards of professionalism, probity and transparency in handling public funds.

10.  The principles and philosophy which guided the formulation of this budget is total and selfless service to the people of Nasarawa State. To actualize this objective, I call for the support and cooperation of all towards the successful implementation of the budget for the benefit of our people.

11.  Finally, let me use this auspicious occasion to once more express my gratitude to the people of Nasarawa State for the support they have continued to give this Administration, especially since the Election Tribunal validated our mandate. This support has reinforced our determination to change the economic fortunes of our people in line with the vision of our founding fathers.

12.  This being our first full year budget, our preoccupation is to lay a very solid foundation for the realisation of our vision for the State. I trust that I can always count on you in this regard.

13.  Thank you and God bless.