Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, presented the 2021 budget proposal of N340, 951,912,557.00 to lawmakers at Katsina State House of Assembly on Wednesday.
According to Governor Masari, the proposal, tagged “Budget of Economic Resilience” is designed to complete ongoing projects and initiate other capital projects that can be completed within the life of his administration.
During the presentation, Masari said: “Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly, other invited guests, the total budget for the 2022 fiscal year is in the sum of N340,951,912,557.00 with 69.85% Capital Expenditure and 30.40% Recurrent Expenditure. In aggregate terms, the 2022 Budget is higher than that of the 2021 revised budget by N48, 064, 131,214.00”
However, Masari noted that the “2022 recurrent revenue has increased by 8.60% over that of 2021 Revised Budget. Similarly, the recurrent expenditure in the 2022 Budget has increased by 8.63% which indicates that in real terms the revenue has increased by about 8.60% over that of 2021 fiscal year.”
He further said that the 2022 budget is structured with a total recurrent expenditure of N102,800,756,244.00 which is equivalent to 30.15% of the total budget and capital expenditure of N238,151,156,313.00 which is 69.85% of the total budget.
The Governor projected that the total required amount to finance the 2022 budget is the sum of N175, 105,396,188.00 which comprises of N61, 664,771,966.00 as Internally Generated Revenues from the State Board of Internal Revenue and other MDAs.
Concerning the revenue through the Federation Account, Masari puts the estimated sum at N100, 940,624,222.00 with an Opening Balance of N12, 500,000,000.00.
Masari further highlighted the efforts of the state government and achievements of his administration “despite the numerous challenges the State Government is facing especially in terms of low revenue earning and security challenges in some parts of the State.”
Masari said: “We are all aware; implementation of the 2021 Budget has been largely affected by the security challenges across the State. Funds that were supposed to be utilized by the State Government to execute meaningful projects and programmes were committed to funding security operations in the State.
However, notwithstanding, he said, “The State Government has recorded progress in funding the on-going projects and executing new projects and programmes.”
He stressed that the 2022 proposed budget, has “a plan of action for the 2022 financial year that will ensure completion of the developmental projects of critical sectors in the State, especially Roads and Infrastructures, Water Supply, Health, Education, Agriculture, and Environment. The 2022 Budget is therefore tagged as “Budget of Economic Resilience”.
Reacting to the 2022 proposed budget, the Speaker Katsina House of Assembly, Hon. Tasiu Maigari assured the Governor that the Assembly would perform its constitutional role in ensuring the passage of the budget to enable the people of the state to continue enjoying the dividends of democracy under Masari’s administration.