As part of the policy thrust of his administration to reposition education, Governor Abdullahi Sule has again allocated N41.96 billion to education, representing 41 percent of the total sum of N199,879,370,709.43 appropriation for the year 2024.
This represents an increase of ten percent over the 31 percent allocated last year.
Governor Sule disclosed this shortly after presenting the 2024 appropriation bill tagged “Budget of Renewed Commitment” before the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, on Friday.
The Governor said that, realizing the importance of education in the society, his administration has continued to commit enormous resources for the enhancement of educational system, embarking on the mass construction and rehabilitation of classroom blocks in public primary and secondary schools aimed at creating conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.
Health also retained its second position with N27.49 billion allocated to the sector.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s resolve to implement policies and programmes aimed at uplifting the living standard of the people and transform the state towards becoming a hub for socio-economic activities.
“This is evident in our modest efforts in the construction of road networks and other physical infrastructure, provision of social amenities, healthcare service delivery, education, agriculture, economic empowerment and, indeed, robust investment opportunities,” he stated.
He reemphasized that the administration is anchored on the core principles of transparency, accountability, probity, and prudent management of state resources.
Governor Sule used the opportunity of the event to highlight on some of the development strides of his administration in the past year, to include attracting several investments especially in agriculture and mining, as well as in oil and gas.
He explained that major inroads recorded led to the drilling of Ebenyi-A Oil well in Obi Local Government Area, as well as the recent discovery of other minerals including lithium in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
Reviewing the performance of the 2023 budget, the Governor disclosed that government envisaged revenue accruals from the federal allocation in the sum of N58.37 billion, whereas (IGR) was anticipated in the sum of N37.62 billion and N48.50 billion as capital receipts.
He said however, that total collection from federation allocation between January and October stood at (N74,789,617,130.20) only representing 128.12 percent, while (N23,979,427,797.47) only was realized as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) representing 63.74 percent. Moreover, the actual total capital receipt, which include domestic and foreign aid, grants and loans stood at (N14,107,650,728.35) only, representing 29.09 percent.
“During the period under review, a total of (N57,425,259,412.04), was spent on Recurrent Expenditure representing 62.88%. This consist of Personnel cost (Including Pension, Gratuity and Death Benefits) of N31.02 billion (64.73%) and other running cost (including Debt Servicing and Security Vote) of N26.40billion (60.83%) as at October 2023.
“On the other hand, the sum of (N26,332,906,245.18) representing 45.41% was spent on Capital Projects,” he added.
According to the Governor, the 2024 appropriation witnessed an increase of (N50,563,426,501.81) or 33.86 percent against the 2023 budget.
He gave a breakdown of the 2024 appropriation to include N112,925,350,954.18 earmarked for recurrent expenditure, comprising N54,079,872,865.13 for personnel cost, representing 27.06 percent and running cost of N58,845,478,089.05 set aside for debt servicing, security vote and other government running cost, representing 29.44 percent.
He added that capital expenditure is pegged at N86,954,019,755.25, in line with the administration’s 56:44 recurrent to capital ratio, signifying that 56 percent of the 2024 budget will go to payment of salaries, debt repayment, liabilities of pension and gratuity arrears, security vote and other cost of running government’s day to day activities, while 44 percent will go to capital projects for infrastructure development, construction, rehabilitation, repairs and purchase of items for all sectors.
Governor Sule also gave a breakdown of sectoral allocations as follows: Security & general administration, N21.74 billion, legislation, N4.30 billion, pension & gratuity, N7.27 billion, information, culture & tourism, N2.63 billion, and civil service matters, N1.69 billion.
Others are agriculture ,N9.65 billion, finance & investment, N20.91 billion, works, housing & infrastructure, N22.68 billion, water resources & rural development, N4.12 billion, lands & physical planning, N8.65 billion, and science, technology & onnovation, N1.78 billion.
Judicial service commission, N0.637 billion, ministry of justice, N1.93 billion, courts (High Court, SCA, CCA), N3.90 billion, youth & sports development, N4.62 billion, humanitarian, women & social development, N2.11 billion, environment & solid minerals, N5.50 billion, and local government & community development, N6.31 billion.
