Ganduje presents N219bn budget for 2019

Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano state, has presented a budget proposal of N219.6 billion to the state house of assembly.

Tagged “Budget of Sustainable Development”, the governor urged the lawmakers to work on it in record time.

“The 2019 budget is designed to attain the agenda of this administration to the overall objective of developing the state and improving the well-being of the people,” he said.

“The objectives of the budget are efficient and effective public spending through public financial management process; to continue synergy and cooperation with the various stakeholders in the state.

“The target of the budget is to ensure transparency and accountability and to continue with process of participatory budgeting.”

“With due consultations with relevant stakeholders within and outside the public service, we are proposing an aggregate budget of N219, 655, 217, 756 for the year 2019.

“Out of this amount, the sum of N134, 0 65, 152, 619 is dedicated for capital expenditure, while the sum of N85, 590, 65, 167 is for recurrent expenditure.

“The focus of the 2019 budget will be on completing on-going projects in health, education, rural roads, power, water and agriculture and other critical infrastructure.”

The ministry of water resources got the second highest allocation of N26.4 billion; agriculture, N9.4 billion; education, N18 billion; environment, N3 billion; health, N2.5 billion; rural development, N2 billion, commerce and industry, N1.6 billion; security and justice, N2.8 billion; women and social development, N861 million; and general administration, N7.8 billion.

In his address after receiving the proposed budget, Kabiru Rurum, speaker of the house, assured Ganduje that the budget was at home and in safe hands.

He said the assembly would work tirelessly to ensure smooth and speedy deliberations.

The speaker added that the house had concluded arrangements for public hearing on the budget, urging stakeholders, civil society organisations and citizens to feel free to approach the house anytime for advise and inputs.

Ganduje had refused to appear before the assembly when he was summoned over the bribery allegations levelled against him.

He sent one of his commissioners to represent him. The assembly has since suspended the probe in line with a court order.