From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi state governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Wednesday, presented an estimated budget of N172,090,787,292b for 2023 fiscal year to Kogi state House of Assembly for consideration.
Bello in his budget speech disclosed that the budget is targeted at achieving the desired Peace, security, infrastructure development, Health Care Delivery and Quality Education.
The 2023 budget, tagged “budget of transformation”, according to Gov. Bello is higher by N4,788,825,095,00 compared to the 2022 budget, thus representing a 2.86% increase in reach as against an estimated outlay of N167,301,962,197,00 approved budget for year 2022.
Gov. Bello who referred the budget as the peoples budget said the 2023-2025 Multi year budget is premised on zero based budgeting principles, is tailored towards the actualization of the State development plan.
Gov. Bello also disclosed that the 2023 budget objectives and target is geared towards peace and security, improving quality education at all levels, democratize access to health care by sustained improvement in the efficiency of health the State health care delivery system and infrastructure.
Gov. Bello further explained that the budget would ensure food security, exploit the full potentials of the economy, ensure that products from agricultural and industrial activities have access to markets locally and Internationally.
He further stated that the budget is geared towards creating employment, achieve sustainable development and promote social economic development through culture and tourism.
The 2023 budget which has a recurrent expenditure of N101,315,129,341 representing 58.87% of the budget, has N70,775,657,951 as capital, representing 47.13% of the budget, also aims at establishing the necessary framework for a robust mining and solid minerals sector, improve road network in urban and rural areas as well as improve the quantity, quality and access to safe water for domestic, commercial and industrial uses.
A breakdown of the budget shows that administration has a total allocation of N40 billion representing 21.94% of the budget; Economic N53b representing 31%; Law and Justice N7b representing 4.14%; Social N63b representing 36.69% of the budget.
The budget according to Gov. Bello has an estimated revenue of N172b, estimated expenditure of N172b, thus representing a balanced budget of N172, 090,787,292 for the 2023 fiscal year.
