Gombe Budget Performance at 62.5 Percent – Gov Yahaya
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Gombe state governor, Inuwa Yahaya, says the state budget performance is at 62.5 percent, even as he added that the state has big challenge with the in-flow of funds especially because the state is almost hundred percent dependent on federal allocation.
Yahaya revealed this on Tuesday, at a Town Hall meeting with relevant stakeholders and civil society on Gombe state 2021 budget.
He said the 2021 budget is premised on the five pillars of the state development plan.
“Yes there is a big challenge with the in-flow of funds especially because Gombe state is almost hundred percent relying on the federation account and with the federation about 85 percent depending on oil revenue; we know currently what is happening on oil revenue’ therefore the challenge is almost double. Inspire of the economic crunch, the budget performance of the state stood at 62.5 percent.
“But no matter what, we will not be distracted we will remain focus we will create innovative ways by which we can raise our finances so that whatever we put in the budget will be actualize because at the end of the day it is going to dovetail into what the people need and what people will like to live as posterity for the younger ones.
“I want to underscore the need for us to look inward in financing this budget that is why I spoke about innovative ways and our dependence on federation account will reduce the moment we are able to ensure that the economic activities of our people has been resuscitated and has been made very buoyant. Then they can contribute without any pains or rigour towards funding the budget which will dovetail to improving our social needs. I therefore urged all of you to contribute ideas knowing full well that this government is working in virtually all the local governments to make sure we touch on the lives of the people,” he said.
Yahaya said the engagement with the people is going to continue as long as he remains in office “and we shall achieve our main objective, which is to transform the lives of the ordinary people and make Gombe state to be the first among its peers. As far as development is concerned”.
He said the government will continue to engage district heads, village heads and other community leaders to know their needs so as to put it in the budget for the state.
on his part, The speaker Gombe State House of Assembly Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim Kurba thanked governor Yahaya for initiating the stakeholders meeting on budget preparation for the State.
The speaker said, “the House under my leadership will give speedy approval to the budget each time the Governor transmitted the working document to the House of Assembly.”
Also speaking, Gombe State Commissioner for finance and economic development Gambo Magaji assured citizens of the State that just like the 2020 budget proposal, the present administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya will give heed to the 2021 budget.
Meanwhile, Special Adviser on Budget Planning and Development partner coordination Dr. Ishaku Mohammed had earlier in an address of welcome said the stakeholders meeting on budget preparation was a clear demonstration of the governor’s disposition to transparency accountability and good governance.
