Yahaya Bello Presents N258.3bn 2024 Budget
The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Monday presented the N258, 278,501,339 Appropriation Bill for 2024 to the Kogi State House of Assembly for approval.
The budget termed ‘Budget of consolidation and continuity for inclusive growth’ which is the last budget proposal by Governor Bello under his administration was presented to the assembly members at plenary held at the newly renovated assembly complex in Lokoja.
The 2024 proposed budget of N258.3bn budget is against the N197.5bn revised approved budget for the year 2023.
Governor Bello discloses that this makes the 2024 draft budget higher by N60.6bn compared to the 2023 revised budget, representing a 30.71% increase.
“This total budget outlay is divided into recurrent expenditure of N145.7bn representing 56.43% and capital expenditure of N112.5bn representing 43.57%.”
He said 2024 budget has been drafted to enhance Internally Generated Revenue, aggressive pursue repayment of debt owned to us by the Federal Government, provide more conducive environment for our Development Partners across the world to contribute to the state economy.
Governor Bello outlined critical areas of focus in the 2024 budget, including good governance, infrastructural development, education, healthcare, agriculture, security, peace building, women empowerment, innovation and youth empowerment.
The governor said, “We have tried to ensure that our good governance aspirations find expression in the 2023 Budget, with the specific fiscal objective being effective allocation of scarce resources to identified critical programmes and projects
“It is now my pleasure to formally present to you the year 2024 Draft Budget, otherwise known as our “Budget of Consolidation and Continuity for Inclusive Growth” for your deliberation and. hopefully, accelerated approval. As I bid farewell to this Honourable Assembly today, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude again for your dedication to our State and People over the years and commitment to the growth and success of our dear state.
“As January 27, 2024 when I will wind down my Administration approaches and we all prepare to welcome the new Government of His Excellency, Governor-Elect Ahmed Usman Ododo, it is my heartfelt desire that you extend even greater levels of cooperation to him.
“I look forward to seeing the incoming Administration building on the foundation laid by mine while working together with all stakeholders across the State to achieve even greater heights than we did. Let us therefore embrace this transition with excitement and optimism, knowing that our collective efforts will propel our State to new horizons.
“I thank my team for their faithful service. We came from different backgrounds and united for the best interests of our State and people. Despite notable hiccups, we have become a family that cannot be broken. We will work through any problems we may with each other and find common ground from which to mentor our successors and move on to the next levels of our own lives and careers.”
Earlier in his address, the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf, noted that the budget is expected to be a reflection of the resolve of the people of the state to address their critical needs
He said: “While I understand the resource constraints we face as a state which is not peculiar to us, I hope the budget would prioritise investment in the future of the state by consolidating and solidifying the areas the state has recorded positive gains and areas of advantage.”