The Kaduna State House of Assembly received the N370 billion draft budget for 2023 on Tuesday from Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Okay.ng reports that the figures submitted in the budget are in line with the administration’s 60:40 split between capital and ongoing expenses.
The figures are in line with the administration’s 60:40 split between capital and ongoing expenses.
It is El-seventh Rufai’s and last budget before his term ends in May 2023.
Bill of Appropriations
According to the governor, the entire amount of the 2023 Allotment Bill is N370.33 billion, a 21.82 percent increase above the N303.99 billion amended appropriation for 2022.
El-Rufai claimed that N127.7 billion in recurring expenses and N242.21 billion in capital expenditures.
“Our constant commitment to investment over consumption is shown in the capital to recurrent ratio of 65.5% to 34.48%,” he continued.
Healthcare and Education
The governor added that “our plan allocated 45.34% of the budget to Education and Health” and that “the 2023 estimates maintained the government’s priority on human capital development.”
He claims that there is no question about our ongoing commitment to the development of human capital given the allocations of 29% to the sector of education and 16.05% to the sector of health.
He continued by saying that pro-poor programs in nutrition, healthcare, skill development, and empowerment funding for women, youths, and vulnerable groups were included in the budget estimates.
Programme for Social Investment
The governor clarified that the official exchange rate will be about N435.57 to the dollar and that the proposed budget estimates are based on the assumption that crude oil prices will stabilize around USD70 per barrel.
He claims that there are still uncertainties in the world economy.
Fears of inflation and a recession in the main economies have taken the place of encouraging indicators of a durable recovery from COVID-19.
The demand for Nigeria’s primary export, petroleum, may be impacted by the current economic climate, with implications for the currency rate, prices, and overall economic performance.
According to El Rufai, the 2023 budget is the culmination of eight years of his administration’s steadfast efforts to improve lives by putting people first.
In order to liberate people from dependence on those who stand between the people and the treasury, we have put in place empowerment policies.
We have made a concerted effort to advance equitable opportunities, advance the development of human capital, construct infrastructure, draw new firms, assist those that already exist, and maintain an environment that facilitates conducting business.
In addition to honoring people, completing inherited projects, and celebrating the positive aspects of the past, we have modernized government.
In keeping with the continuum that disciplined governance should be, he continued, “We have done our best.”
Legislative Assembly
The governor thanked the House of Assembly for working with him, but he also pointed out that the voyage included both easy and difficult parts.
Amid his words, “faith and our commitment to our holy pledge to do our best for the people of Kaduna State have preserved our partnership in pain and joy.
Over the past seven years, we have sent numerous executive bills, and this House has done a commendable job of passing important laws.
The governor expressed “the gratitude of the administration for the 140 laws so far enacted by this House,” noting that this was his final budget presentation.
‘’We are pleased with our governance track record.
We have drawn up a new future course.
“We shall turn over the task of extending, advancing, and expanding our efforts to provide our people with progressive outcomes to our successors.
Plan for State Development
The roadmap is unmistakable, based on the State Development Plan, with a relentless emphasis on strong policies and the ability to put them into practice through a productive public service,” he continued.
According to El Rufai, his administration has “improved Kaduna state, providing our successors a strong basis from which to carry the baton further and achieve more for our people.”