2018 BUDGET PRESENTATION BY
ALHAJI (DR.) ABUBAKAR SANI BELLO, GOVERNOR, NIGER STATE AT THE NIGER STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, ON THURSDSY, 14THDECEMBER, 2018.
PROTOCOLS:
2. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, fellow Nigerlites, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Let me start by thanking Almighty Allah (SWT) who in His infinite mercy has made it possible for me to once again stand before this Honourable House to present the 2018 Budget Proposal of Niger State Government. This is the third time I am presenting the annual budget on the floor of this Honourable House and I am very grateful for the continued support of the legislators and indeed, our electorates who have demonstrated abiding faith in us to ensure smooth governance in Niger State.
3. Occasions such as this, Mr Speaker, normally affords us the opportunity to take a thorough look at our achievements,appreciate the challenges and to outline our plan for the coming fiscal year. Undoubtedly, events trailing the year under review have generally been very uplifting. Particularly, the technical exit of the country from recession, relative peace in the Niger-Delta and increase in the price of crude oil. Conversely, regrettably, we are still battling with prevailing security challenges of kidnapping, insurgency, farmers and herdsmen clashes witnessed in the country.
4. It is however gratifying to note that, government is not relenting in its efforts to mitigate all these challenges. We hope that the year 2018 will fare better in terms of revenue inflow to enable us meet the yearnings and developmental aspirations of our people.
REVIEW OF 2017 BUDGET
5. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, you may recall that the 2017 “Budget of Consolidation” passed by this Honourable House was made up of N48,217,960,278.00 for recurrent expenditure and N67,978,337,973 for capital expenditure. In our work to improve the socio-economic status of our people, some of the achievements recorded by government in the year 2017 are presented below.
Agriculture and Rural Development Sub-Sector
6. Towards the implementation of our agenda to realise theagricultural potentials of the State, and understanding that our people are predominantly dependent on agriculture, we pursued our programmes in this sector with vigour. In this regard, we continued to support our farmers to boost agricultural production through timely delivery of fertilisers, farm implements and agro-inputs. The state received and distributed 4,000 metric tonnes of fertilizers in 2017 under the Federal Government Special Fertilizer Intervention Programme, at N5, 500 per bag. Niger State also keyed into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme with the registration of over 14,760 farmers who are now engaged in cultivation of Rice, Soya beans and Cotton.
7. Furthermore, under the FADAMA III additional fundingProgramme, three Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprise Centres equipped with tractors and implements have been established, while 50 units of threshers and 5 units of power tillers were procured to support rice farmers. In addition, we also refurbished tractors to facilitate the 2017 farming season.
8. As to the Crop Production Programme, we established pilot Shea tree and Oil Palm plantations at Shakwatu in Shiroro and other Local Government Areas. This is in addition to pilot the Ginger Farms in Tegina and fifteen (15)other locations in the state. This is towards creation of jobs for our teeming population to uplift their economic status and in the long run increase our sources of income. Furthermore, in a bid to attract youths to agriculture, training equipment were procured for the four Farm Institutes in the State to train our youths on modern farming techniques. In addition, over 500 youth ‘agropreneurs’ have been trained in various agricultural enterprises.
9. There is no gainsaying, that good transport network is a key element of agricultural development. We have therefore recognised the need to improve infrastructure for transportation of goods and services in the rural areas and are working with the World Bank on the Rural Access & Mobility Project II (RAMP). In this direction, construction and rehabilitation of over 221.12km rural feeder roads and twenty (20) river crossing bridges are on-going across the state.
10. In recognition of the immense potentials in our livestock and fisheries sub-sector, we re-established the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development. Similarly, theKontagora Abattoir was completed to provide hygienic meat and allied products. While, Boats and Out-Board-Engines were procured to support artisanal fishing and concrete pondswere constructed at the Tagwai Hatchery to encourage aquaculture.
Commerce and Investment Sub-sector
11. In the third quarter of 2017, we organised the Niger State Investment Summit with the theme “Impact Investing for Advancing Agricultural Economy and Innovation”. The event was organised to draw the attention of the investing public both local and foreign to the opportunities that abound in Niger State. It is pleasing to inform this Honourable House that as a result, the state has signed agreements with some Local and International partners for projects in the agricultural sector.
12. The government has also paid due attention to thedevelopment of Shea value chain and in that direction engaged a Consultant.
Infrastructure and Transport Sub-sector
13. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, provision of infrastructure is critical to the socio-economic development of the State. It is in realisation of this that in 2017, efforts were directed towards the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads in the state. Here, government embarked on the constructionand rehabilitation of township roads in Minna, Bida, Kontagora, Suleja and Agaie, which is at various levels of completion. The state government has embarked on the maintenance / rehabilitation of federal roads such as Tegina – Birnin Gwari – Kaduna road, Zungeru – Tegina road, Minna – Diko road and the repairs of Lioji Bridge. The Government has further strengthened the operation of the Niger State Roads Maintenance Agency with the provision of plants, equipment and machinery for the maintenance of roads. Other achievements include construction of new Fire Service Stations at Mokwa, Lapai, Bida, Minna, Suleja, Kontagoraand Agaie, in addition to modern Fire fighting vehicles and equipment were also procured and the recruitment of 150 firemen. Traffic lights were installed at strategic junctions in Minna to control chaotic traffic situations.
14. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, from inception we were sure that sustainable socio-economic development of the state is hinged on our ability to fully develop the human settlement in a holistic and integrated manner. So far, I have had extensive consultation with the United Nation’s Agency, UN-Habitat, Nairobi Kenya to prepare Niger State Urban Development Policy. Similarly, we are working with the Korean International Trade Association to develop and implement an Integrated Development Plans for Minna and Suleja while plans for Bida, Kontagora and New Bussa will follow subsequently.
15. The plan for a smart city near Suleja is being pursued in collaboration with the UN-Habitat through Korean International Trade Association (KITA), our objective in this direction is to become a National Technology Hub to manufacture renewable energy Systems and Components as well as strengthen the capacity of the State Institutions in charge of development and management of our towns and cities. To this end, we recently signed an MoU with UN-Habitat to facilitate the implementation of these projects.
Water supply and Sanitation Sub-sector
14. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the provision of portable drinking water has remained cardinal to this administration. In line with this, government pursued vigorously the revamping of water works across the state. Highlight of some achievements in this sector include the procurement and installation Twelve (12) complete pumps and other accessories at Chanchaga Water Works and reticulation of waterlines to boost water supply to Minna metropolis at the cost N1.2Billion. Contract has been awarded for the procurement of pumps, panels and other equipment forSuleja, Bida and Kontagora Water Works at the sum of N2.3Billion. We also resuscitated the abandoned Lambatta, Lapai, Agaie and Katcha Water Supply Project. With the contractors back on site, work on Agaie/Katcha and New Bussa will be completed soon while Lambatta has been completed. In order to determine the viability of our dams, Environmental Impact Assessment of Tagwai, Bosso, Suleja and Kontagora Dams were undertaken in our quest to maximize the utilization of these dams in the state.
15. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, activities have not been restricted to urban water supply alone, thus in the area of rural water supply, several motorized and hand pump boreholes were constructed and rehabilitated in over 50 locations including Tagagi, Maigoge, Malamkaro, Karamin-rami, KashiKoko, Ekpagi and Lagun, while plans are on ground to do more in the coming fiscal year.
Education Sub-sector
16.This Administration recognises the importance ofeducation in human capital development and in this regard, initiated the Transformation Education in Niger State (TENS) programme to assess the sector, identify its challenges and recommend the ways forward. Subsequently, we recruited 150 professional teachers for core subjects in the secondary schools. We embarked on the Whole School Development Approach Programme of which nine post-primary boarding schools are receiving attention for complete renovation and furnishing. Also during the year, the government re-introduced the Teacher Training Colleges under the Niger State Teachers’ Professional Development Institute with threecentres across the state to provide professional and quality teachers. Already, one of the centres has taken off at Mararaba Dandaudu in Munya Local Government Area, while those slated for Agaie and Nasarawa-Kainji will come on stream in2018.
17.In the area of primary education, over N1.866billion was expended under the 2014 Universal Basic Education Intervention Projects on construction and renovation of blocks of classrooms, toilets, fencing and provision of furniture. We have also continued to support our tertiary institutions toenable them meet accreditation standards. Key achievements here include NUC accreditation of eleven courses in IbrahimBadamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai, reconstruction of the burnt administrative block at Niger State Polytechnic Zungeru, construction of twin Anatomy/ Physiology and Micro-Biology Lab at College of Agriculture Mokwa, Construction of Physics / Chemistry Lab and provision of Science Equipment at Institute of Innovation Minna and Procurement/ installation of ICT equipment at Fati Lami Institute of Legal and Administrative Studies, Minna. The government is also collaborating with DFID/UNICEF on the Girl-Child Education, School Enrolment Drive Campaign and the Cash Transfer Programme.
Health Sub-sector
18.In 2017, we recruited 320 health workers to enhance healthcare service delivery; the focus of this Administration in the health sector has been the strengthening of the Primary Healthcare (PHC) Centres in order to achieve the target of one (1) functional facility per ward. The state in this regard, has keyed into the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) with the payment of N100million as counterpart fund. It may interest you to note that Niger State is the only state out of the 19 Northern States that met the requirements for inclusion in the pilot phase of the programme to improve quality and access to Primary Health Care Services. The State has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation worth over N2billion for the upgrade of PHC facilities and capacity building of its health personnel.
19.Similarly, renovation and equipping of Focal Primary Health Centres at Beri, Ebbo, Maje, Kaboji and Doko at a total cost of N65million have been completed. In the same vein, government has awarded contracts for the remodelling of General Hospitals in Kontagora and Suleja, while the upgrading of School of Nursing, Bida is on-going. The construction of laboratory complex at General Hospital Minna and the renovation of IBB Specialist Hospital have been completed at over N157million. Concerted efforts are on toensure effective take-off of the College of Nursing Sciences,Kontagora with all the preliminary works concluded.
Energy Sub-sector
20. During the year under review, government emphasised the completion of on-going electrification projects, provision of transformers and accessories to enhance electricity supplyacross the state. Key successes in this regard include thecompletion of Etsuworo-Shabafu-Bida, Kokogi, Jama’are-Shambo, Zabbo-Ewugi-Ekkan electrification projects, whilethat of Bangi and Agwara has been completed at the cost of over N300Million. Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, I need to add that many more of other rural electrification projects are at various levels of completion and upon completion will go a long way in improving the socio–economic conditions of the rural populace.
Information & Communication Sub-sector
21. In view of the inherent importance of information dissemination and communication in a state such as ours where majority of the people live in the rural areas, werevamped the existing facilities at the Niger State Television (NSTV) and FM Station to meet this need and also to comply with the digital switch-over target of Nigeria. Work is on schedule to complete the reactivation of the Radio Niger (AM) Station and the procurement of a new Outside Broadcast Van.
Social Development
22. Armed with the assertion that any meaningful development devoid of the inclusion of the youth and women is an anathema to social justice, critical decisions were taken towards the empowerment of our youths and women groupswho make up the bulk of the population. To underscore our belief in this assertion, over three thousand (3,000) Youths have been trained on various youth empowerment programmes which include ICT skills, Green House Agricultural Technology, Youth-Skills Acquisition Programme (CYSAP), Rice Milling and Poultry Production.
23. In sports development, the state competed in various Championships and won laurels in Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Squash, Weightlifting and Hockey! Our state darling football team, the Niger Tornadoes came 2nd in the AITEO Cup Championship thereby qualifying to represent Nigeria in the 2018 WAFU Championship. The renovation of the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium as well as other adjoining sports facilities are almost completed. I am confident therefore, that the 2018 Premier League home matches of Niger Tornadoes will be played in Minna.
Law and Justice
24. Judiciary and the dispensation of justice both for the citizenry and the upholders of the law are hinged on the clarity and fairness of the process. Mindful of this, it became imperative to address some of the challenges facing the Judiciary. So far, Magistrate Courts at Suleja, Kontagora, Lapai, Zungeru and Bosso have been renovated during the year under review. An e-library was also established in the Ministry of Justice to keep our judges and state counsels updated.
Security
25. In line with the restration agenda of this administration to provide security of lives and property, government has procured and distributed 90 Ninety Hilux Vehicles, out of which 30 are all kitted with modern radio communication equipment to support the operation of security agencies in the state including the Vigilante corps in the state. During the year 2017, government also distributed 170 Motor cycles and 30 Bicycles for easy access to all nooks and crannies by security personnel around the state. We also provided resources for local and overseas training of security personnelin the state.
General Administration
25. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in the second quarter of 2017, we created three (3) additional ministries namely; Ministries of Culture and Tourism, Livestock and Fisheries and Mineral Resources to initiate and implement policies and coordinate activities that will drive achievements of our potentials in these sub-sectors, while the Committee on Mining has reported the presence of large deposit of hydrocarbon in Bida Basin which we intend to pursue for exploration in 2018. Also, given the place of the Civil Service in the implementation of government policies and programmes, we recruited 250 graduates; 10 each from the 25 LGAs, this is because the administration placed high premium on developing quality and welfare of our civil servants in the state. Consequently, we have been able to block racketeering of appointments and promotions in the civil service. We recently renewed our MOU with Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna for the training of our Directorate Cadre and also entered into an agreement with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai for the training of public servants for service delivery.
The 2018 Budget Proposal
26. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the 2018 Budget is unique as it is demand-driven and anchored on the expressed needs of the people. You will recall that during the Mid-term assessment tour of the administration, we received expressions of developmental needs and suggestions from thepeople of our communities. These have been articulated and mainstreamed into programmes and projects that respond to what our communities want; hence this year’s budget is christened the “PEOPLES BUDGET”. The 2018 Proposed budget is based on community participation, inclusiveness and responsiveness to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
27. The total projection of the 2018 Proposed Budget is N128, 010,602,977.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Eight Billion, Ten Million Six Hundred and Two Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy Seven Naira) which is more than the 2017 Approved Budget by N19, 996,304,726.00 or 16.62%.The estimates are guided by resource projections to be generated from our traditional sources of income:
i.Statutory Allocation from Federation Account (FAAC)
ii.Value Added Tax (VAT)
iii. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)
iv.Capital Receipts, including bonds and grants; others are:
v.Refund from Paris Club
vi.Refund from the Pension Administrators
The Proposed Budget is based on the following projections and assumptions:
i. Statutory Allocation = N57, 610,992,099.00
ii. Value Added Tax (VAT) =N9, 890,656,457.00
iii. Internally Generated Revenue=N11, 650,465,457.00
iiii. Capital Receipts = N35, 854,489,391.00
v. Refund from Paris Club = N10, 000, 000, 000.00
vi. Refund from the Pension Administrators =N3, 000,000,000.00
TOTAL = N128, 010, 602,977.00
EXPENDITURE ESTIMATE
Recurrent Expenditure
28. Mr. Speaker Sir, Honourable Members let me now present to you the break-down of the 2018 budget proposal.
The proposed recurrent expenditure for the year 2018 stands at N52, 151, 626, 082. 00 representing 40.74% of the Budget.This consists of the following:
(a) Personnel Cost –N 31,016,961,635.00
(b) Consolidated Fund Charges – N9,743,464,447.00
(c)
Overhead Cost – N 11,391,200,000.00
Total N52, 151,626,082.00
Capital Expenditure
29. The capital expenditure for the year 2018 is estimated at N75, 858,976,895.00 or 59.26% of the total Budget size.
The Sectoral breakdown is as follows:
(i) Administration –N9,944,734,640.00
(ii) Economic –N44,132,945,270.00
(iii) Social – N20,471,296,985.00
(iiii) Law and Justice – N1,310,000,000.00
TOTAL N75, 858,976,895.00
SECTORAL ANALYSIS:
Economic Sector:
Agricultural Sub-sector
30. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, key activities of the sector in 2018 will include clearing of 2000 Hectares of land under the Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme, increasing the number of Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centres across the state to fifteen (15) and rehabilitation of various irrigation schemes. We shall continue to collaboratewith our agricultural development partners in rural transformation, value chain development and extension delivery. Under the Agricultural Empowerment Programme, the Tegina, Kuta, Nasko and Bida Farm Institutes will be equipped to better train our youths on modern farming methods. Commerce and Investment Sub-sector
31. Recent global and local happenings call for the need to diversify our revenue base. The sum of N1Billion has been proposed for the CBN/SMEs Entrepreneurship Credit Scheme. This is to stimulate the state economy through Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurship development and create jobs. Therefore, government has concluded plans to construct50 units of SME factories at New Bussa, Suleja and Mokwa respectively. In 2018, work will continue on the Suleja and Mariga International Markets while the provision of infrastructural facilities at Babanna International Market will be carried out. The Government will redouble its resolve to explore and harness all solid minerals and oil exploration activities to further enhance our revenue base.
Infrastructure and Transport Sub-sector
32.In view of the pivotal role of transportation in any economy, the construction, repairs and rehabilitation of both state and federal roads will be accorded priority, to this end, N2Billion has been proposed. The completion of all on-going road projects in the state will be pursued with vigour. The sum of N1.9bn has been proposed for the rehabilitation ofTownship roads in Minna, while 17 other township roads across the state will be rehabilitated.
33. In the Energy Sector, the sum of N900Million have been provided for electrification of various communities, including provision of transformers at Doko to Mambe, Edokota to Etsu-Audu and Bokani and environs; Saho-Rami, Garatu and Gwam. Also provisions have been made for the upgrading of 11kVA to 33KVA lines in Bida town and the installation of streetlight in our urban towns.
Water Supply and Sanitation Sub-sector
34. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, this Administration attaches great importance to the provision of potable drinking water to the populace. In furtherance of this, the sum of N3.725 Billion has been earmarked for the rehabilitation of Kontagora, Bida Suleja water works. Provision has also been made for the rehabilitation of Bi-water Schemes at Dabban, Matandi, Ibeto, Edozhigi, Salka and Auna at the total cost of N42.6million. Feasibility Studies is to be commissioned on the construction of new water treatment plant in Minna. In the area of rural water supply, 100 Solar Powered and 200 Hand pump boreholes will be drilled and rehabilitated respectively in different communities across the state. We shall also collaborate with relevant stakeholders on the promotion of hygiene activities in the state.
SOCIAL SECTOR
Education Sub-sector
35. In this sector, highlight of activities include thecontinuation of the Whole School Development Approach (WSDA) across the state, the completion of other TeachersDevelopment Institutes at Agaie and Nassarawa-Kainji. Our tertiary institutions will receive attention to meet accreditation requirements. The renovation of six Vocational, Science and Technical Schools in Bida, Suleja, Kontagora, Jebba, Rijau and Minna in the first phase at the cost of N2.5Billion and the provision of science equipment to these schools to encourage the teaching and learning of science subjects in the state at a cost of N100million will be undertaken. While we will continue with the second phase of the Whole School Development Approach in Ahmadu Bahago SecondaryMinna, Government Day Secondary Minna, Government Day Secondary School Ibbi; Ndayako Day Secondary School Bida, Government Girls Day Secondary School Lapai and UBE Model Secondary School Kontagora at the sum of N1.9Billion.
Health Sub-sector
36. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in line with our focus of strengthening Primary Health Care facilities, forty (40) Primary Healthcare Centres have been selected for renovation and equipping across the state in the next fiscal year. We shall continue to pursue the implementation of the on-going renovation at Minna General Hospital, while work will start in Suleja and kontagora General Hospitals at the cost of N1.5Billion and N1.4Billion respectively. Our health teaching institutions will be accorded priority to enable them meet accreditation requirements of their regulatory bodies, in addition to completion of renovation works at School of Nursing Bida and School of Midwifery Minna at the contract sum of over N290Million and N187Million respectively. Further construction works at the School of Nursing Kontagora is allocated the sum of N300Million in 2018. To further enhance access to healthcare delivery in 2018,government will commence the implementation of the State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme for all Nigerlites.
Law And Justice Sector
37. This administration would continue to accord the judiciary arm of the government its due regard as an independent arm, the sum of N1.3Billion has been proposed for the various capital projects of the Judicial Arm for 2018.
The Administrative Sector
38. In 2018, efforts will be geared towards providing enabling environment for the civil service to deliver on its mandate. We are recruiting 2,000 fresh graduates in the next fiscal year in addition to training and retraining of the existing public servants. The renovation of offices and provision of office equipment and furniture will be accorded top priority. Other key activities in this sector will include the rehabilitation of both the Old and New Secretariats, purchase of equipment for the Government Printing Press and renovation of our LiaisonOffices at Kaduna, Abuja and Lagos. The sector has a proposed allocation of N9.9Billion.
CONCLUSION
39. In conclusion Mr Speaker and Honourable members, let me acknowledge and appreciate the support and understanding of the House since our assumption of office. This has no doubt brought about the tremendous achievements we have recorded so far. I believe the people of Niger Statecrave for the speedy deliberation and passage of the 2018proposed Budget so as to enable early implementation. Let me also thank all Nigerlites for the unflinching support for our programmes. I wish to assure you all that the CHANGE we promised you is on course. To our Development Partners both Local and International I thank you for your support as we look forward to working with you in furtherance of our service to the people. Let me single out, the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for standing with us always. Our government is indeed on the voyage of restoring HOPE through development and good governance; I sincerely appreciate your commitments. I believe we can further consolidate on our outstanding collaborations to expand other developmental issues in the state.
40. Let me assure all Nigerlites that my administration will continue to operate within the ambits of the Rule of Law to render services transparently with accountability and do justice to all without fear or favour. I shall also continue to deploy resources to those projects that have greater impacts on our people using our shared vision with unlimited opportunities. It is therefore my singular pleasure to formally present the total sum of N128,010,602,977.00 for the year 2018 Proposed ‘PEOPLES BUDGET’ with Capital Expenditure of N75,858,976,895.00 and Recurrent Expenditure of N52,151,626,082.00 to this Honourable House for deliberation and passage.
Long Live Niger State; Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you all and God bless.
