WAMAKKO PRESENTS SOKOTO'S 2011 BUDGET PROPOSAL TO LEGISLATORS

THE Sokoto State Government is to spend N76.78 billion in the 2011 fiscal year.Governor Aliyu Wamakko, in Sokoto, presented the budget proposal to the state's House of Assembly, on Thursday.

Wamakko said that out of the amount, more than N29.86 billion was for recurrent expenditure, while about N44.20 billion was for capital expenditure. He said that statutory allocation would provide N32.66 billion, VAT, N8.4 billion, internally generated revenue, N13.97 billion and a grant of N4.5 billion.

Similarly, miscellaneous revenue from the Federal Government would account for more than N9.61billion, transfers from the consolidated account, N5 billion, loans and grants to capital projects, N 1.214 billion and MDGs/CGs, N1.5 billion.

The governor further said that the economic sector had the highest allocation of more than N14.79 billion, while the legislature got the least allocation of about N406.83 million.

Wamakko explained that the 2011 budget, which was christened 'Budget of hope and reconsolidation' was aimed at sustaining as well as consolidating the development processes that started in the last three and half years.

The governor further said that the budget would give attention to accountability, probity and transparency in the conduct of government business.

Wamakko commended the legislature and the people of the state for their sustained support, cooperation and goodwill to the government.

This, the governor noted, had contributed to the success of all government programmes and policies.

Responding, the Speaker, Alhaji Abdullahi Salame, promised to expedite the passage of the budget proposal into law.

The state government budgeted about N75.22 billion during the 2010 fiscal year, out of which more than N28.14 billion and N47.08 billion were for recurrent and capital expenditure respectively.

However, the 2010 budget of the state would be extended to February 2011, according to a letter of request sent to the House of Assembly by Wamakko.

In the letter dated December 28, which was read before the house, the Clerk, Alhaji Mainasara Idris said that the request had become necessary in the light of the prevailing circumstances.

The governor said that his administration would not abandon any project, as the government was determined to complete all projects in the state during the year.