By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, has presented the 2024 budget estimates of two hundred and twenty five billion, seven hundred and twenty seven million, three hundred and ninety five thousand, two hundred and six naira, ninety eight kobo, to the Benue State House of Assembly.
Christened “Budget of Infrastructure, Job Creation and Poverty Alleviation”, the Governor maintained that the theme of the budget was in line with the present administration’s blue print tagged ” The Strategic Development Plan For A Greater Benue,” with the view of addressing development needs of the people.
According to Governor Alia, out of the said amount, the sum of one hundred and fifteen billion, two hundred and sixteen million, one hundred and sixty one thousand, two hundred and forty naira ninety nine kobo, have been proposed for capital expenditure in the 2024 budget, which said has received a massive boost of 61.6 percent when compared with provisions made in the revised 2023 budget.
The Governor stressed that the sum of one hundred and ten billion, five hundred and eleven million, two hundred and thirty three thousand, nine hundred and sixty five naira, ninety nine kobo has been proposed for total recurrent expenditure in the aforementioned budget.
He continued: “The proposed sum expected for 2024 personnel cost is fifty six billion, four hundred and seventy nine million, seven hundred and ninety nine thousand, five hundred and ninety naira, fourteen kobo (N56,479, 799,590. 14k).
The cost component part of recurrent expenditure which is the non personnel cost or overheads is proposed at fifty four billion, thirty one million, four hundred and thirty four thousand, three hundred and seventy five naira, eigthy four kobo. This connotes a 10.3 percent decrease in the preposition expected on this line item in the proposed 2024 budget when compared to provisions made on same vote for the revised 2023 budget.”
Governor Alia noted that, the 2024 budget will be implemented amidst some challenges, which include the rising trend of inflation noticed in 2023 fiscal year, which he said will affect real income, the challenge of managing outstanding domestic and foreign debts among others.
Responding, the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Hyacinth Dajo, assured that the 10th Assembly under his watch would ensure speedy passage of the 2024 budget for faster development of the state, adding that his desire is for the proposed estimates to restore the dignity of labor and address the needs of Benue citizens.
