Being Text of
an Address by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of
PROTOCOLS:
I am grateful to
Almighty God and the good people of
2. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commence this exercise by expressing gratitude to the Honourable Members of the House for the constructive partnership and shared vision that exists between the Executive arm of Government and this Honourable House. Such cooperation is no doubt needed at all times to encourage and sustain the achievements recorded by this Administration.
3. It is imperative to point out that our annual fiscal appropriations have always been the instruments for the fulfilment of our 13-point Agenda. Through these fiscal appropriations, we forecast, estimate and allocate the anticipated resources for the implementation of various policies, programmes and projects for the socio-economic transformation of the State.
4. Mr. Speaker, in putting together the 2010 budget, due consideration was given to the improvement of the general welfare and living standards of the people, through our commitment to:
1) fulfilling the philosophy, manifesto and programmes of our great party, the PDP;
2) consolidating on the achievements of the 13-point Agenda of this Administration;
3) sustaining conducive environment for socio-economic growth and prosperity;
4) meeting the yearnings and aspirations of our people; and,
5) protection of lives and property.
Review of the 2009 Budget
5. Mr. Speaker, it would be recalled that the approved budget for the
2009 fiscal year provided for a total expenditure of Fifty-eight Billion, Four Hundred and Seventy-six Million, Two Hundred
and Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixteen Naira (N58,476,204,516.00).
6. This amount was made up of a recurrent expenditure of Twenty-three Billion, Seven Hundred and Forty-six
Million, Forty Thousand, Three Hundred and Eleven Naira (N23,746,040,311.00)
representing 40.6% of the budget. The sum of Thirty-four Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirty Million, One Hundred and
Sixty-four Thousand, Two Hundred and Five Naira (N34,730,164,205.00)
representing 59.4% was earmarked for capital expenditure.
7. The 2009 budget sought to achieve the following objectives:
1) Completion of on-going projects initiated by this and previous Administrations;
2) Commencement of important projects that could be completed within the tenure of this Administration;
3) Settlement of inherited liabilities;
4) Strict expenditure control; and,
5) Stringent budget monitoring and fiscal discipline.
8. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the total revenue realised from all sources as at the third quarter of 2009 was Thirty-eight Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty-one Million, Nine Hundred and Six Thousand Naira (N38,451,906,000.00) which translates to 66% of the expected revenue.
9. Out of this amount, recurrent receipts for the period stood at Twenty-three Billion, Twenty-eight Million, One Hundred and Fifty-five Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty-two Naira (N23,028,155,282.00) while capital receipts was Fifteen Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty-three Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighteen Naira (N15,423,750,718.00).
10. The total expenditure for the period under review stood at Thirty-eight Billion, Five Hundred and Twenty-eight Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-three Naira (N38,528,852,883.00)
11. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, let me express my gratitude to the
Almighty God, and to the collective support of the people of
12. We were, therefore, faced with enormous challenges of implementing the budget in the face of lean resources. Our ability in financial control and budget management was challenged as never before. These challenges notwithstanding, we remained focussed and forged ahead in our determination to meet the expectation of our people.
Highlights of 2009 Budget
Performance
13. Some of the highlights of the achievements of the 2009 budget are appreciable progress in road construction, water supply, construction and upgrading of school infrastructures, promotion of agriculture, as well as, expansion and improvement of health facilities. Other areas include, completion of abandoned office structures, procurement of plant and machineries for road construction and a breakthrough in the establishment of salt processing projects. Also worth mentioning, are the establishment of a Primary Healthcare Development Agency; Public Works Maintenance Agency; Emergency Management Agency and Debt Management Department.
14. Perhaps, some of the most outstanding achievements of the 2009 budget, are, the establishment and take-off of Bada Koshi Agriculture scheme and the take-off of the all important Nasarawa State Skills Acquisition Scheme with centres at Lafia, Wamba, Doma and Nasarawa.
The
2010 Fiscal Appropriation
15. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the conceptual framework of the 2010 fiscal appropriation is anchored on the need to consolidate our achievements of the past two years, towards the attainment of a sound foundation for accelerated economic growth and development.
16. In drawing up the 2010 budget, therefore, we were guided by the reality of our internal revenue base, the current global economic meltdown and the federally accepted benchmark of fifty-seven dollars ($57) per barrel of crude oil.
17. In the light of our circumstance, therefore, the policy thrust of the 2010 Fiscal Appropriation Bill include:
1) Completion of all projects initiated by this Administration;
2) Commencement of new projects that are necessary for the socio-economic development of the State;
3) Completion of inherited abandoned projects considered essential for socio-economic development of the State;
4) Enhancement of revenue generation and improvement of revenue collection machinery; and,
5) Enforcement of compliance with financial instruction and budget discipline.
18. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, all issues considered, the 2010 appropriation bill of Sixty-seven Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Five Million, Two Hundred and Forty-four Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-six Naira (N67,865,244,536) is hereby proposed for consideration of the Honourable House.
19. This figure shows an increase of Nine Billion, Three Hundred and Eighty-nine Million, Forty Thousand, and Twenty Naira (N9,389,040,020.00), representing 16%, over and above the 2009 budget.
Anticipated
Revenue
20. The budget is to be funded from the following anticipated revenue sources:
1) Statutory Revenue Allocation of Twenty-six Billion, Three Hundred Million Naira (N26,300,000,000.00);
2) Excess Crude Oil Receipts of Ten Billion Naira (N10,000,000,000.00);
3) Value Added Tax (VAT) of Five Billion, Three Hundred Million Naira (N5,300,000,000.00);
4) Internally Generated Revenue of Twelve Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty-five Million, Two Hundred and Forty-four Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-six Naira (N12,265,244,536.00);
5) Grants and loans totalling Eleven Billion Naira (N11,000,000,000.00); and,
6) Miscellaneous receipts of Three Billion Naira (N3,000,000,000.00).
Capital
Expenditure
21. Mr. Speaker, the sum of Forty Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-six Million, Two Hundred and Sixty-five Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty-three Naira (N40,646,265,383.00) representing 60% of the budget, is earmarked for capital expenditure.
Recurrent
Expenditure
22. In like manner, the sum of Twenty-Seven Billion, Two Hundred and Eighteen Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-nine Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-three Naira (N27,218,979,153.00) representing 40% of the total budget size, is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.
23. Mr. Speaker, having articulated our core areas of focus during the 2010 fiscal year, the following sectors shall receive priority attention:
1) Completion of all the on-going road constructions and commencement of new necessary ones;
2) Rehabilitation and expansion of infrastructures and facilities in educational institutions;
3) Rehabilitation and upgrading of healthcare facilities and services;
4) Promotion of agriculture and encouragement of commercial and large-scale agricultural enterprise;
5) Provision of mass housing schemes through Public Private Partnership;
6) Exploitation of solid mineral resources;
7) Development of tourism;
8) Expansion and upgrading of information and communication facilities;
9) Development of the Civil Service and the Bureaucracy;
10) Provision of facilities and environment for youth and women development and wealth creation; and,
11) Sustainable security of life and property.
24. Towards this end, Mr. Speaker, the major expenditure highlights of the 2010 budget are as follows:
1) Works and Transport N11.7billion
2) Education N9.6billion
3) Health N4.9billion
4) Water Resources N3.7billion
5) Legislature N3.6billion