2023: Gov. Matawalle signs N184bn Budget bill into law

Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara on Friday assented to the 2023 Budget Appropriation Bill of over N184 billion into law.

Newsmen reports that had in Nov. 17 presented the proposed 2023 budget estimate of N188.8 billion to the assembly for approval.

The Assembly had earlier passed the reviewed and downsized the appropriation bill from N188.8 billion to over N184 billion.

In the reviewed budget, the capital expenditure was reviewed from N102.5 to N80.3 billion, while the recurrent expenditure was reviewed from N86.3 billion to N104.5 billion, respectively.

In his remarks, Matawalle said the signed budget reflects government’s commitments to the people of the state.

“Apart from security and social support, which take the lion’s share in the 2023 budget, the administration allocated significant resources towards the improvement of education sector, focusing on increased access to quality education for all our children.

“My administration also prioritised the development of the healthcare delivery system with a focus on improving access to health care services in rural areas.

“We allocated funds towards the development of infrastructure projects that will help stimulate economic growth and create jobs for our people,” Matawalle said.

He listed the completion of the ongoing Cargo Airport project and construction of new roads, bridges and other infrastructure that will help to connect communities and facilitate the movement of goods and services throughout to be among major projects in the budget.

Matawalle called on civil servants who are responsible for the implementation of public policies and programmes, political office holders and all government officials to brace up for the crucial task of implementing the budget.

He expressed appreciation to the state House of Assembly for working hard round the clock to pass the budget within 13 days.

“That indicates the cordial relationship existing between the Executive and the Legislative arms of government since the inception of my administration in 2019,” Matawalle added.

Meanwhile, the Governor had also assented to seven other bills earlier passed by the state House Of Assembly.

The bills include: A law for the establishment of the second College of Nursing Sciences.in the state to be located in Zurmi town, Zurmi Local Government area.

They also include: A law to establish Zamfara Education Trust Fund and other matters related thereto and a law to establish Zamfara Teachers Service Board and related matters 2022.

Others laws assented by Matawalle were a law to for the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law. (VAPP), a law for the establishment of Zamfara Hospital Services Management Board, Administration of Criminal Justice Law, and Zamfara Penal Code Law.

The governor said said the signing of the laws became necessary in order to promote the well-being of the people and meet their yearnings and aspirations.

“As a government, we are entrusted with the critical responsibility of generating, managing and allocating resources for the development of the state.

“We are going to ensure that the needs and aspirations of our communities are fully met through the allocation of resources in a responsible and transparent manner,” Matawalle vowed.