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Budget of Transformation 
Monday, December 31, 2007

Being Text of the 2008 Budget Address Presented to the Nasarawa State House of Assembly by His Excellency, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, OON (Garkuwan Doma), Executive Governor, Nasarawa State: Lafia, Friday, 28th December, 2007.

 

PROTOCOLS

I wish to thank you, Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, for graciously accepting to receive me today, even though you have been on a recess for the Id-el-Kabir, Christmas and New Year celebrations. I am convinced that the sacrifice you have made is borne out of your commitment to the progress of our state and people. It is on record that this is not the first time you have demonstrated such a spirit of mutual understanding of our shared responsibility to work together for our collective good. I am indeed, very grateful.

 

  1. I am delighted to be here today in the hallowed chambers of this Honourable House to lay before you the 2008 Appropriation Bill for Nasarawa State. This exercise is significant, being the first full budget of our Administration. Thus, beyond fulfilling a constitutional obligation, this budget sets the foundation and tone of our 13-point Agenda which encapsulates our mission, goals and priorities in the transformation of the State.

 

  1. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, it is in pursuit of this agenda for transformation that I stand before you today to present, for your consideration, the 2008 Appropriation Bill which I have appropriately tagged the BUDGET OF TRANSFORMATION. It is a budget which, while consolidating on the gains of the past, will boldly and vigorously explore and open up new vistas of opportunities for our people and our State, in the quest for a wholesome socio-economic transformation.

 

  1. This Honourable House may wish to recall that during my inaugural broadcast to the people of the State, I stated that the policies and programmes of this Administration will be tailored to provide the necessary springboard for a viable political system, economic development and social transformation. This budget is therefore a first-step mechanism for the realization of that pledge.

 

REVIEW OF THE 2007 BUDGET:

  1. The previous Administration made provision for a total estimated expenditure of Thirty-Five Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty-Nine Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand, Forty-Six Naira (N35,459,477,046) for the fiscal year 2007. Recurrent expenditure in that budget was Fourteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Four Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Nine Naira (N14,934,582,439), while Twenty Billion, Five Hundred and Twenty-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Four Thousand, Six hundred and Seven Naira (N20,524,894,607) was for Capital Expenditure.

  1. By and large, the exigencies of Government necessitated a supplementary budget of Seven Billion, One Hundred and Fifteen Million, Nine Hundred and Ten Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira (N7,115,910,626). The total capital budget for the fiscal year 2007 therefore amounted to Twenty-Six Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Seven Naira (N26,774,894,607), while recurrent budget amounted to Fifteen Billion, Eight Hundred Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Sixty-Five Naira (N15,800,493,065).

  1. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I need to point out that every budget is an estimate of expected receipts from various sources of income computed on the basis of all things being equal. As we are all aware, fluctuations in the national and global economies affect budget projections. Accordingly, as at the end of November, 2007, our total receipts from all revenue sources stood at Twenty-Five Billion, Sixty-Nine Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N25,069,476,710). Out of this, the sum of Twelve billion, Nine Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Naira (N12,947,377,840) was received for capital projects, while Twelve Billion, One Hundred and Twenty-Two Million, Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy Naira (N12,122,098,870) represented recurrent expenditure.

THE 2008 BUDGET

 

  1. This Budget is the outcome of a thorough exercise involving the reappraisal of government objectives and priorities. It is a detailed re-examination of the planning and forecasting processes, the measurement of performance against inputs in the budgetary process and the evaluation of target outcomes.  In line with our democratic tradition, we have also allowed a full-blown participatory process to ensure that Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies make their inputs. The need for expenditure control as well as the strengthening of the mechanisms for accountability and transparency was also considered.

 

  1. Since Government is a continuous process, we are determined to finish all the uncompleted projects started by the previous Administration and which we consider to have direct benefits to the people.

  1. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, our State continues to grapple with the challenges of under-development. In spite of our enormous human and natural resources, poverty continues to ravage our people. Our urban areas suffer from lack of modern infrastructures, our rural areas experience deficiency of basic amenities, our youth face the challenges of unemployment while the womenfolk remain dis-empowered.

 

  1. It is in this light that the policy thrust of the 2008 Budget emphasizes accelerated economic transformation in keeping with our 13-point Agenda for the development of the State. The major areas of focus of the 2008 budget are:

 

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.

 

  1. We have decided to pursue these objectives in the firm belief that with the will, focus and stamina which this Administration, and the good people of Nasarawa State possess, we are well-positioned to change the fate of our State for the better.  The 2008 Appropriation Bill is, therefore, a bold statement of the determination of our Administration to revitalize our economy and rekindle hope in our people. The budget will effectively stimulate socio-economic growth within our State, as well create opportunities for our people to intensify their participation in the national and global economies.

 

  1. In this wise, Mr. Speaker, for the fiscal year 2008, I propose 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). This figure shows an increase of 26% over and above the 2007 budget which was Forty-Two Billion, Five Hundred and Seventy-Five Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy-Two Naira (N42,575,387,672).

 

  1. The 2008 budget is to be funded from the following sources:

1.      Statutory revenue allocation of Thirty Billion Naira (N30,000,000,000).

 

2.      Value Added Tax (VAT) of Three Billion Naira (N3,000,000,000)

 

 

3.      Internally Generated Revenue of Eight Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty-Eight Million, One Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira (N8,658,191,355).

 

4.      Grants and Loans amounting to Six Billion Naira (N6,000,000,000), and,

 

5.      Miscellaneous receipts of Six Billion Naira (N6,000,000,000)

 

  1. The sum of Thirty-two Billion, Thirty-Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-Three Naira (N32,039,861,293) has been earmarked in the 2008 budget as Capital Expenditure. This represents 59.7% of the total budget size. On the other hand, the sum of Twenty-One Billion, Six Hundred and Eighteen Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Sixty-Two Naira (N21,618,330,062) is estimated for Recurrent Expenditure. This translates to 40.3% of the budget. The total expenditure for the fiscal year 2008 therefore stands at 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).

 

  1. Mr. Speaker, an appropriation bill should do more than merely show the revenue and expenditure profile of Government in a given year. More importantly, it ought to indicate where a people stand on the index of development, where they want to move to, and how they intend to do so.

 

  1. It is in this context that the major highlights of the 2008 budget are as follows:

 

1.         Works, Transport and Housing             -           N10.72b

 

2.         Education                                                         -           N8.98b

 

3.         Commerce, Industries and Tourism                   -           N4.32b

 

4.         Agriculture                                                        -           N3.24b

 

5.         Health                                                              -           N2.41b

 

6.         Water Resources and Rural Electrification         -           N3.76b

 

7.         General Administration                          -           N2.90b

 

8.         Legislature                                                        -           N2.43b

 

9.         Judiciary                                                           -           N1.14b

 

Administration

  1. In my maiden broadcast to the people of the state, I promised to give the Civil Service its pride of place in our Administration. The Public Service is not only the engine room of any government in facilitating policy formulation and implementation, but the bridge that makes for continuity between one administration and the other. We intend to re-invigorate, re-energise and re-position the Service so as to promote competence, professionalism and productivity. The sum of Two Billion, Nine Hundred Million Naira (N2,900,000,000.00) has therefore been allocated to General Administration.         

 

  1. Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that the bedrock of every development is individual safety and communal peace. Security of lives and property is a priority area of this Administration. We shall work hard to flush out criminals from our state, to make it safer, stable and more peaceful. We shall adopt a pro-active approach by monitoring dark-spots and areas of tension to ensure that we nip criminal and violent activities in the bud.

 

Urban Renewal  

  1. The Urban Renewal Programme which this Administration launched in August 2007 is one of the cardinal pillars of our quest for transforming the State. Work has significantly progressed in this direction, with the Lafia solar powered street lighting project almost at completion. In this budget, Government intends to give priority to the expansion and reconstruction of network of roads in Lafia, the state capital, to transform the town into a modern and befitting seat of the state government.

 

  1. As I remarked during the launching of the urban renewal programme, we must meet the challenges poised by our proximity to the Federal Capital Territory, which has led to the sprouting of squalors and slums in the Greater Karu Area with attendant high wave of crime and other social vices. The Greater Karu Urban Development Project has therefore been given due attention in the budget.

 

  1. We are equally determined to accord topmost priority to the construction and rehabilitation of network of roads in other urban centres. In this connection, some township roads in Keffi, Nasarawa, Akwanga, Wamba, Doma, Karu, Greater Karu, Nassarawa-Eggon, and Obi will be rehabilitated. A budgetary provision of Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N4,850,000,000) has been made in this regard.

 

  1. The budget also contains provisions for the establishment of housing estates, in partnership with the private sector, to meet the housing needs of various categories of our people.      

 

Rural Transformation

  1. Mr. Speaker, we are all aware that majority of our people live in the rural areas, where they are confronted with lack of basic social amenities. In 2008, we will embark on the transformation of our rural areas with the construction of all season roads, rural water schemes and electricity supply to various rural communities in the Local Government and Development Areas. To this end, the sum of Fourteen Billion Naira (14,000,000,000.00) has been allocated to rural transformation.

 

  1. Some of the projects we intend to execute under the rural transformation scheme include:

 

1.   Participation in the Public Private Partnership in respect of the construction of Guto-Bagana Bridge across River Benue.

2.      The construction and/or rehabilitation of:

  1. Doma - Akpanaja Road
  2. Toto - Umaisha Road
  3. Gitata - Panda - Gurku - Mararaba Road
  4. Adudu - Ribi - Azara Road
  5. Gudi - Rinze - Nunku Road
  6.  Nasarawa Eggon - Mada Station Road
  7. Kokona - Agwada - Udege Road

 

Water Supply

  1. Government is determined to provide potable water to its citizens. In this connection, work on the Doma - Lafia regional water supply scheme will commence in 2008. Other water schemes to be addressed include those of Nasarawa-Eggon, Nasarawa, Toto, Keana and Wamba. Similarly, water schemes in Keffi and Akwanga will be upgraded. The sum of One Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Two Million Naira (N1,822,000,000.00) has been earmarked for these projects.

 

Rural Electrification

  1. The provision of electricity supply to our rural communities shall be intensified to enhance the socio-economic life of our people. All the on-going rural electrification schemes in the State shall be completed, while new ones will be embarked upon in priority areas. The sum of Three Billion, Seven Hundred and Sixty Million Naira (N3,760,000,000.00) has been earmarked for rural electrification in this budget.
  2. Furthermore, Government intends to improve electricity supply to our rural areas in this fiscal year by extending the 33KV national grid to Local Government headquarters in the State.

Education

  1. The provision of qualitative education continues to be a major area of priority for this Administration. This is because education not only brings out the best in the human being but also prepares people for the challenges of life. Accordingly, government in 2008 has allocated the sum of Eight Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty Million Naira (N8,980,000,000.00) to the education sub-sector in order to transform our schools into model centres of excellence, both in terms of teaching and infrastructure.

 

  1. Government will pay due attention to the needs of the sector from the primary to the tertiary level. We shall enhance the capacity of the sector by recruitment of teachers, training and re-training of personnel, staff motivation and the provision of instructional materials. Government also intends to acquire and distribute additional collapsible chairs to all primary and junior secondary schools at the cost of One Billion, Two Hundred Million Naira (N1,200,000,000). Facilities and programmes at our tertiary institutions, particularly the Nasarawa State University shall be upgraded to ensure qualitative education.

 

  1. This budget also accords priority to girl-child, science, technical, as well as vocational education.

 

  1. To enhance the general welfare of our students in tertiary institutions, Government in 2008 shall implement the 15% increase in scholarship allowances.

 

Health

  1. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, health is wealth. Government is therefore set to provide a functional health care delivery system for our people. Towards this end, Government intends to complete the on-going hospital projects across the state. Facilities and equipments in cottage hospitals and some Primary Healthcare Centres shall be upgraded.  The free Medical programme for pregnant women and children under five (5) shall be reorganized and expanded. A new general hospital will be constructed in Lafia to decongest the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital. The 2008 Appropriation Billmakes provision for the sum of Two Billion, Four Hundred Million Naira (N2,400,000,000.00) to the health sub-sector.

 

Agriculture

  1. Agriculture is the dominant occupation of our people. All across the state, our people are engaged in agriculture to sustain our economy and for livelihood. Government in 2008 has allocated the sum of Three Billion, Two Hundred Million Naira (N3,200,000,000.00) in the budget to improve agricultural production.

 

  1. Some of the projects to be undertaken under the agricultural sector include the construction of the Agro Export Conditioning Centre at Keffi, resuscitation of the Fertilizer Blending plant and establishment of a Cassava Processing Plant. The Lafia abattoir is also earmarked for completion.

 

  1. Efforts will also be made to maximize our comparative advantage by partnering with international investors in the establishment of Ethanol and Sesame Seed processing plants at Doma

Commerce and Industries:

  1. In keeping with our development strategy which is anchored on economic empowerment, Government will intensify efforts in creating economic opportunities for our youth and women. A Micro-Finance Bank shall be established in the state with equity contribution of One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000.00). Government will continue to sustain partnership with donor agencies to access viable cooperative groups and societies to development funds. Small and Medium scale Enterprises shall be promoted in the State.

 

  1. To encourage skill acquisition, the Relevant Technology Centers in the State shall be reorganized and expanded to provide training and exposure for our youth and others, in various skills and trades towards gainful employment.

 

  1. Our State is endowed with large deposits of solid minerals. As part of the economic empowerment of the State, we intend to attract investors from within and outside the country to invest in this sector. The Nasarawa State Solid Minerals Development Company Ltd shall be resuscitated. The menace of illegal miners in the State shall be checked.

 

  1. Tourism is an important area in which the State is well blessed. We shall maximize the use of our cultural heritage and natural endowments to develop a viable tourism industry. This budget addresses the need to build capacity for government agencies involved in the development of tourism. Provisions have been made to step up the development of the Farin Ruwa Tourist Resort in partnership with the Private sector.  The 2008 budget provides One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) for Tourism development in the State.

 

  1. To boost trade and commercial activities in the State, a Market Development Board shall be established. Lafia and Keffi new markets shall be fully completed, while viable markets shall be similarly developed.

 

The Legislature

  1. Government recognizes the important role of the Legislature in our Presidential system. Accordingly, we will in the year 2008, embark on the rehabilitation of existing structures and the provision of much needed and befitting facilities at the State House of Assembly. It is our belief that this effort will go a long way to enhance the conduct of Legislative business.

 

Revenue Collection

  1. At this juncture, I wish to assure the Honourable House and the people of the State that Government is poised to achieve the development objectives enunciated in the 2008 budget. To this end, we shall reorganize and strengthen the revenue collection machinery of the State to enable it achieve targeted results.

 

  1. The Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall be restructured and properly motivated to perform its statutory role of collecting all revenues due to Government in an efficient and effective manner.

 

  1. Similarly, other parastatals will be made effective to enable them render quality service. All parastatals shall be adequately subvented to reposition them to carry out their statutory functions.

 

Budget Monitoring

  1. Government will intensify its evaluation and monitoring machinery to ensure that all projects are executed in accordance with due process, specifications and standards. A Budget Monitoring and Implementation Committee shall be established. The culture of transparency and accountability shall be enforced.

 

Conclusion:

  1. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of the House of Assembly, history has placed leadership on us at a critical period in the development of our young state. Our task and indeed the expectation of our founding fathers is for us to collectively uplift the living standards of our people by ushering an era of peace and prosperity. We are a state richly blessed; all we need is courage, creativity and determination to overcome the challenges of development.

 

  1. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, permit me to end this address by expressing my gratitude to this Honourable House for the cooperation the Executive has always enjoyed from this Legislature. I trust that I can always count on you and your support in our collective journey to the promised land.

 

  1. It is now my pleasure to place before you the 2008 Appropriation Bill which we have tagged the BUDGET OF TRANSFORMATION. It is my hope and indeed my expectation that the budget will receive the due attention that it deserves.

 

  1. Thank you and God bless.

 

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