By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The Borno State Commissioner for Ministry of Budget and Planning, Professor Mustapha Babagana Malumbe has charged all accounting and finance officers in the state to operate strictly within the bounds of the approved budget in order to achieve the set objectives and purpose of the 2024 budget
He also advised the officers to note that, the budget document is a set of policy guide which will enable MDAs operate during the 2024 fiscal year, pointing out that, no request for funds not allocated in the budget will be entertained.
The commissioner who stated this on Monday during a press briefing with journalists on 2024 approved budget by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum at the International Conference Hall of Usman Musa State Secretariat, Maiduguri said further that, “the success or otherwise of this policy will largely depend on each and every one of us.”
According to him, “the 2024 Budget is saddled with government’s commitment in building on the foundation laid in the previous years; this year’s budget tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Progress marks a significant step forward in the shared journey towards achieving long-term goals.
” This budget is not just about numbers; it embodies a vision for a more prosperous, secure, and equitable future for all. Consolidation underscores Government’s commitment to building upon the successes of the past year,” Malumbe said
He added that the state government will continue to strengthen fiscal discipline, invest in key infrastructure projects, and implement reforms that create a more enabling environment for businesses and individuals to thrive.
” This budget also embodies progress. Government will be making strategic investments in areas critical for sustained growth and development, such as Education, Healthcare, Works and Reconstruction to also champion initiatives that empower vulnerable communities, return of IDPs and bridge the gap between opportunity and disadvantage.
” I therefore, crave your indulgence to operate strictly within the bounds of the budget so as to achieve the set objectives.
“The expenditure proposals for the fiscal year 2024, aims to strengthen the accomplishments achieved so far and further ensure the delivery of democratic dividends, especially in the realms of socio-economic and political development of the state,” the commissioner said
Malumbe explained also that the 2024 Approved Budget was also in line with the ‘State Government’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework’ 2024 – 2026 (MTEF 2024 – 2026) approved by the Borno State House of Assembly, the ‘Strategic Transformation Initiative’ (STI) for 2024 and 25-year State Development Plan in an effort of building Borno Back and Better.
He also emphasized on the key objectives and priorities outlined in the MTEF for the current budget yea which include amongst others the complete return and resettlement of all IDPs to their ancestral homes, completion of all on-going projects in the State and
Investment in Agriculture, particularly in the irrigation sub-sector,.
He noted that the aim was to ensure food security and also mitigate some of the negative impacts of climate change, thus providing livelihoods for our rural population and to reduce over-dependence on Federal transfers through improved independent revenue generation achievable via a technological-driven and independent Board of Internal Revenue;
Others further include to ensure quality human-capital development initiative through continuous improvement in access to – and quality of – public services, which include education and Health Care Delivery Systems at all levels as well as to pursue initiatives that would continue to generate economic growth and guarantee security.
Professor Mustapha Babagana revealed that thhis would involve implementation of programmes that generate employment and create wealth and ensure adequate security while comparing the 2023 budget size which was N235,331,950,000.00 and made up of capital expenditures, based on the fiscal forecast and guidelines provided in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF 2023 – 2025) and aligned to the Budget Estimates.
According to him, the expenditure was financed through an estimated internally generated revenue of N33,171,306,000.00 and capital receipt of N96,185,089,000.00. As at 31st December, 2023 our actual revenue stood at N144,162,715,729.94 as indicated in the table.
While the overall 2023 Budget Performance stood at 74.4%.
The breakdown of the budget performances, including Revenue (IGR, FAAC and others), Expenditure (Recurrent and Capital) and the overall performance are as follows:
The following challenges were encountered and because of the doggedness of His Excellency and the resilience of the people there was a huge success in implementation of the last year’s budget such as challenges security situation of ongoing Boko Haram .insurgency,, economic recovery and Internally displaced persons (IDPs): The large number of IDPs in the state informed additional resources require to address th challenges among others
He also highlighted the state governments plans and objectives in the 2024 approved budget such as investments food security, in agriculture, ,particularly, irrigation, climate change effects, Invest in agriculture, particularly in the irrigation sub-sector, to ensure food security and also mitigate some of the negative impacts of climate change.
“Thus providing livelihoods for our rural population. Partner with the private sector to livelihood support to the increasing borno state population drive agricultural innovation and create a better and more enabling environment for farmers in Borno State.
“Establishment of specialized hospitals and schools of Nursing in the three senatorial district of the state. Construction of ICT centers, Government Lodges, teachers and health workers quarters.
“Others include Procurement of equipment to the State University Teaching Hospital and completion
Provision of scholarships to indigenous people to study nursing and midwifery courses
Sponsorship of students in various fields of study, especially Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses, languages, and training of pilots
Construct New Market in Maiduguri and Support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and less-privileged,” Malumbe said.
He noted also that the Settlement of 25% of Gratuities owed by States and Local Governments including
Training of 50% of our teachers
Construct and rehabilitation of roads in various locations as mention during His Excellency’s budget presentation speech in the House are also parts of the approved budget objectives this year.
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