The Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, has signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N426 billion into law after passage by the state House of Assembly.
The budget, titled ‘Budget of Rescue’ was passed by the legislative arm on Friday.
A statement by the spokesperson for the governor, Sulaiman Idris, on Saturday said the 2024 estimate has N118,358,079,515.00 [27%] allocated for recurrent expenditure and N308,205,591,485.00 (73%) for capital expenditure.
He added that the budget would enhance domestic and foreign investments, productivity, and ease of business in Zamfara State.
The statement read in parts: “The 2024 budget signed by Governor Lawal prioritises six critical sectors for Zamfara State’s development: security, education, agriculture, health, infrastructure, and others.
“The budget has the following estimates: Administration: N72,093,326,763 [17%]; Economic Sector: N244,729,584,729 [57%], Social Sector: N103,139,659,508 [24%], Law and Justice Sector: N6,601,100,000 [2%].
“Furthermore, the assented 2024 budget has estimated sub-sectors: agriculture (N38,144,000,000), education (N51,370,787,508), health (N33,922,370,000), and infrastructure and urban development [N109 billion].”
The budget also allocated sufficient funds for social intervention programmes to mitigate the impact of the current economic difficulties and insecurity.
“These programs include micro-credit disbursement to Small and Medium Enterprises, the FADAMA Programme for food security, and other initiatives to reduce poverty. We will also be strengthening our skills acquisition programmes to provide job opportunities to our large population in the State.
“The approved budget is consistent with the strategic plan of Governor Lawal’s long-term vision. It emphasises citizen-nominated projects, and some programmes are also considered to have a direct bearing on the yearnings and aspirations of our people.
“The proposed budget is balanced as the projected revenue equals the estimated expenditure,” Mr Idris said.
