*Security, health, education top priority list
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to adopting a more pragmatic approach to managing the state's finances.
Laying an estimated budget proposal of N545,014,575,000.00 before the House of Assembly on Thursday, Lawal noted that the document represents "a roadmap for addressing the pressing needs of Zamfara state."
The sum of ₦151,680,000,000.00 is for Recurrent Expenditure and ₦393,334,575,000.00 for Capital Expenditure.
A statement by the Governor's spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the Ministry of Health is getting N62,124,702,98, representing 11 per cent of the total budget while
the educational sector gets N79, 664, 861, 461, representing 14 per cent of the budget.
"Security, which constitutes 6 per cent of the total amount, totals N32, 288, 70, 000 and Agriculture accounts for 6 per cent, amounting to N34, 716, 18, 000," the statement said.
According to the Governor, "it is a vision for the future of Zamfara. It is also a testament to our resolve to transform challenges into opportunities and deliver a more prosperous, secure state for our people.
"Over the past 18 months, we have achieved remarkable revenue growth of 240.44%, elevating our state from 36th to 26th in Nigeria's internal revenue generation standings.
"This is a testament to the rigorous revenue generation drive and strategic measures implemented by this administration to block revenue leakages.
"We have demonstrated our unwavering commitment to financial sustainability through enhanced accountability, improved collection systems, and the expansion of revenue sources.
"While this achievement is commendable, it is crucial to note that the increase is in relative terms rather than absolute. We will ensure revenue-generating MDAs redouble their efforts by thoroughly exploring all potential sources and maximizing opportunities.
"To speed up the process of economic development and secure a brighter future for our people, we have embarked on transformative projects with significant potential to strengthen the state's financial standing.
"A notable example is the Gusau International Airport, which this administration awarded to align with our strategic vision.
"We are advancing critical infrastructure projects in roads, healthcare, agriculture, rural development and education. "These initiatives are carefully designed to build a resilient economy capable of improving the livelihoods of our citizens.
"We have sustained the culture of reforms in the public sector, which we initiated shortly after assumption of office. These reforms aim to improve efficiency, reduce waste and ensure the effective utilization of public resources.
"A key aspect of these reforms is the digitization of government services. Notable examples include the digitization of the Executive Council chambers, land registry, revenue generation, and collection system.
"We have introduced performance-based budgeting and strengthened financial oversight mechanisms.
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"Budgets are no longer annual rituals often not adhered to; instead, they are strategic tools for achieving developmental goals. We aim to build a transparent, accountable governance framework that inspires public trust and drives socio-economic development.
"Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, the 2025 budget proposal has been meticulously crafted to reflect our aspirations for a prosperous Zamfara State. "Like the 2024 budget, it prioritizes capital expenditure over recurrent costs, ensures equitable resource distribution, and lays a solid foundation for sustainable development. With the collective efforts of all stakeholders, I am confident that we can overcome our challenges and achieve the transformative growth that Zamfara State deserves."
