Gombe: Analysis of 2022 budget estimates by Gov.Inuwa Yahaya

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Ben Ngwakwe

On Thursday 11th November, 2021, the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya presented 2022 budget proposal of One Hundred and Fifty-Four Billion, Five Hundred and Ten Million, Six Hundred and Fourteen Thousand Naira (N154,510,614,000.00) which he tagged “Budget of Consolidation”.

The Governor who read 7 page budget explained that the aims and objectives of the estimates was intended to consolidate on gains made over the past two and half Years in the service of the people and submitted the same to the State House of Assembly for deliberations and passage into Law as contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Yahaya who appreciated the role of members of the House in their journey towards taking Gombe State to the next level, said that the House had been very supportive and committed in the giant strides they have so far recorded since the coming of the administration.

“Let me also acknowledge the fatherly support of our Royal Fathers, Religious Leaders, Community Leaders, the leadership and members of our great party – the All Progressives Congress, well-wishers and above all the good people of Gombe State by standing with us in these challenging times. Despite the resource constraints we are facing occasioned by the crash of global economy, we have continued to make progress towards actualizing the development Agenda of our State”.

Review of the 2021 budget implementation

The Governor said that the 2021 fiscal year, that they budgeted the total sum of One Hundred and Twenty Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty-Four Million, Seventy-Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty-Eight Naira (N120,624,076,628.00) which was appropriated to meet the recurrent and capital budget aspirations.

“You will recall that about 48.7 percent of the budgeted sum was earmarked for recurrent expenditure while 51.3% was appropriated for capital Expenditure. In order to meet with unanticipated expenditure, this Honorable House graciously approved the revision of the budget to One Hundred and Twenty Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty-Six Naira (N120,663,856,636.00) reflecting a slight increase of 0.23 percent”.

The 2021 budget was expected to be financed by the estimated recurrent revenue of Seventy-Six Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty-Six Million, Five Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Naira (N76,286,513,000.00) and capital receipts of Sixty-Two Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy-Four Naira (N62,405,431,374.00) and a closing balance of Seven Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy-Four Naira (N739,976,374.00)”.

“As at September, 2021, we generated the sum of Sixty-Two Billion, Nine Hundred and Nine Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Thirteen Naira Forty-One Kobo (N62,909,378,113.41) as recurrent revenue representing 66.8 percent of the recurrent revenue estimate, while the recurrent expenditure for the same period was Forty-Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Forty-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Eight Thousand, Sixty-Nine Naira Thirty-Two Kobo (N48,748,958,069.32) also representing 76.5 percent of the recurrent expenditure budget. The capital receipts generated was Twenty-Five Billion, Five Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven Naira Forty Kobo (N25,598,274,267.40) representing about 61 percent of the capital receipts estimate as at 30th September, 2021”.

The Governor who was optimistic of achieving credit level so far in the 2021 budget said, ” for the capital budget, the sum of Thirty-Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Two Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand, Twenty-Two Naira Ninety-Five Kobo (N33,992,727,022.95) was expended towards implementing our capital projects. This represents 59.6 percent of the capital budget. The overall budget performance as at 30thSeptember, 2021 was 68.5 percent”.

The 2022 Budget

He said that his administration developed and launched the first Gombe State 10-year development plan (DEVAGOM) which the 2022 budget drew heavily on the aspirations of the Development Agenda around its five strategic pillars namely; Governance and Administration, Social development, Economic Development, Infrastructural Development and Sustainable Environment.

He added further that the transformational strategic thrust for the State as contained in the Plan which focused for the 2022 budget would included efforts towards: –

(i) Increasing the State Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita;

(ii) High quality healthcare system including food and nutrition security;

(iii) Promoting the role of women in development;

(iv) Protecting culture, heritage and our shared values;

(v) Strengthening the security infrastructure;

(vi) Continued provision and modernization of infrastructure;

(vii) Strengthening and creating new poverty reduction initiatives predicated on skills acquisition, job creation and reduced unemployment;

(viii) Improved access to clean and safe water and sanitation;

(ix) Provision of affordable housing;

(x) Universal access to quality education;

(xi) Promoting digital connectivity and rural electrification;

(xii) Strengthening the internal revenue generation drive, ease of doing business and fiscal responsibility;

(xiii) Strengthening development partnership; and

(xiv) Protecting the Environment and mitigating climate change.

it was in this regards that for the 2022 fiscal year, the sum of One Hundred and Fifty-Four Billion, Six Hundred and Ten Million, Six Hundred and Fourteen Thousand Naira (N154,610,614,000.00) is proposed to be expended.

According to him, the budget is made up of Sixty-Nine Billion, One Hundred and Seventeen Million, Two Hundred and Fourteen Thousand Naira (N69,117,214,000.00) for recurrent expenditure representing 44.7percent of the total budget, and Eighty-Five Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Three Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N85,493,400,000.00) for capital expenditure which represents 55.3 percent of the budget sum.

“This is envisaged to be financed by an estimated recurrent revenue of Seventy-Three Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty-Six Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Nine Thousand Naira (N73,626,789,000.00) and capital receipts of Seventy-Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Five Million Naira (N79,865,000,000.00) and an estimated closing balance of Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Eighty-One Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Naira (N4,881,175,000.00)”.

In the proposed sectoral allocation, he said that (1) Recurrent Revenue Receipts was expected to be sourced as follows:

(a) Internally Generated Revenue- N13, 225,289,000.00

(b) Statutory Allocation – N36, 000,000,000.00

(d) Other FAAC receipts – N 6,401,500,000.00

(ii) Recurrent Expenditure comprises of the following:

(a) Personnel Cost – N24, 458,939,000.00

(b) Overhead Cost – N19, 057,175,000.00

(d) Debt repayments – N19, 123,000,000.00

(e) Grants and subsidies – N628, 100,000.00

(iii) Capital Receipts: This is expected to be accrued from:

(a) Opening Balance – N6, 000,000,000.00

(b) Transfer from Consolidated

Revenue Fund – N10, 509,575,000.00

Joint Projects – N 5,000,000,000.00

(d) Domestic Grants – N12, 915,000,000.00

(e) External Grants – N 5,150,000,000.00

(f) External Loans – N 6,800,000,000.00

(g) Domestic borrowings – N50, 000,000,000.00

(iv) while Capital Expenditure to be implemented in the 2022 fiscal year was the sum of Eighty-Five Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Three Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N85,493,400,000.00) that was earmarked for the under-listed sectors:

(a) Economic Sector – N57, 913,100,000.00

(b) Social Sector – N20, 599,200,000.00

(d) Law and Justice – N 2,607,100,000.00

ECONOMIC SECTOR

(i) Agriculture and Livestock

He noted that the 2022 fiscal year was prioritized in the sector to strengthen the Agricultural value-chain by boosting Small, Medium and Large-Scale agricultural processing in the State.

To fund activities in this sector, the sum of Two Billion, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Three Million Naira (N2, 723,000,000.00) has been allocated.

On the Rural, Community Development and Cooperatives, the Governor said also that the 2022 fiscal year, they shall continue with interventions to improve the quality of life in ther rural communities within available resources.

“Accordingly, the sum of One Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Five Million Naira (N1, 995,000,000.00) is earmarked for investment in this sub-sector”.

(iii) Trade, Industry and Tourism

“As a result of our efforts, we are currently ranked number One in the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council. In this regard, the sum of Ten Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty Million Naira (N10, 930,000,000.00) is earmarked for investment in this sector in order to deepen our efforts”.

(iv) Works and Infrastructure; “this sector is a priority for this administration due to the need to tackle the dilapidation of our infrastructure stock and completion of abandoned projects. Today, most of these projects have either been completed or are at various stages of completion. I have also given approval for the preparation of a 30-year Gombe State Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (GSIIP). The document will guide our infrastructure plans and implementation. For this, the sum of Twenty Billion, Nine Hundred and Ten Million Naira (N20, 910,000,000.00) is earmarked for this sub-sector.”.

(v) Housing and Urban Development.

In line with the vision to facilitate good urban planning and development in the state, they have finalized arrangements to source for funding from Family Homes Fund to build 2,500 units of affordable and social houses.

Equally, the efforts to see the take-off of the projects and infrastructure of the Gombe Capital Special Development are on course. For this initiative, the sum of Seven Billion, Four Million Naira (N7,004,000,000.00) is proposed for investment for the Housing and Urban Development sub-sector in the 2022 fiscal year.

(vi) Land Administration

On land administration, he said that the Gombe Geographic Information Systems (GOGIS) had been empowered to develop and audit the Gombe Capital Special Development Zone as well as other development areas.

” GOGIS, when fully operational will be one of the major contributors to our IGR. To continue with this turn-around in land administration and management, the sum of Two Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty-Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2, 335,500,000.00) is earmarked for expenditure in the 2022 fiscal year”

(vii) On Water Resources, the Governor that they have also continued with the efforts to follow with vigour the realization of the Pindiga water augmentation project, the Dukku and Gombe South Regional Water projects as well as the utilization of the water bodies along the river banks amongst others.

“Accordingly, the sum of Six Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N6, 238,600,000.00) is allocated for investment in the 2022 fiscal year”.

Environment and Forestry is to manage the environment, the Gombe State Ten Year Development Plan (2021 – 2030) has clearly spelt out strategies for addressing the challenges of environmental degradation and climate change.

” So far, we have ensured the implementation of the World Bank Assisted Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) by paying the needed counterpart funds which enabled us to design and complete the GSU gully control erosion which stretches for about 7km. The implementation of the Gombe Goes Green (3Gs) project is in progress and is a model for other states in the country. In order to ensure sustainability of these efforts an Environmental Master Plan will be prepared to guide interventions in the sector.”.

” To sustain these actions, the State has keyed into the Agro Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project (ACRESAL). For the 2022 fiscal year, the sum of Four Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty-One Million Naira (N4,561,000,000.00) is earmarked for investment in the Environment and Forestry sub-sector”..

(ix) On Science, Technology and Innovation, the Governor said that the world has gone digital and Gombe State is poised to be part of the development.

“To reposition this sub-sector in the state the sum of Two Hundred and Sixteen Million Naira (N216,000,000.00) is allocated for the 2022 fiscal year.”

SOCIAL SECTOR

(i) Education which is the bedrock of the nation should not be left out hence they would continued efforts to reposition the education sector while they have invested heavily in infrastructural improvement, quality assurance, deliberate attention to science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies amongst other interventions in SUBEB and BESDA.

Work is currently on-going to upgrade five secondary schools to Mega Schools with a capacity to accommodate not less than 3,000 students each and the sum of Two Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N2, 778,200,000.00) is earmarked for investment in the 2022 fiscal year.

(ii) Higher Education

He said that the administration had kept its promise of ensuring the growth and development of the Gombe State University, the College of Education Billiri, State Polytechnic, Bajoga and College of Legal and Islamic Studies Nafada, and the construction of a permanent site for the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Gombe.

“To continue with these efforts, the sum of Three Billion, One Hundred and Sixty-Two Million Naira (N3, 162,000,000.00) is allocated in the 2022 fiscal year”.

(iii) Health, Yahaya said his administration had successfully revitalized 1 Primary Care Centre in each of the 114 wards of the state, upgraded the State Specialist Hospital in Gombe and established the Gombe State Hospital Services Management Board.

“Equally, we have embarked on the renovation of the Bajoga and Kaltungo General Hospitals, and the reconstruction of Kumo General Hospital, this is in a bid to ensure that we have 1 functional General Hospital in each of the senatorial districts. We shall continue with these efforts of improving access to quality healthcare services to the people of Gombe state and the sum of Six Billion, Twenty-Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N6, 027,500,000.00) for investment in the 2022 fiscal year”.

(iv) Youth and Sports Development-they shall continue to encourage and strengthen youth engagement in sports that serves as a unifying factor in the societies. “For this, the sum of Two Billion, Six Hundred and Sixteen Million Naira (N2, 616,000,000.00) is earmarked for Youth and Sports Development sub-sector.”.

(v) Women Affairs and Social Development is to promote the relevance of women, children and other vulnerable groups in decision making and the implementation of relevant policies and programmes in the sub-sector, the sum of One Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,339,500,000.00) was allocated for investment in 2022 fiscal year.

(vi) Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,he said, to strengthen the synergy between the State and Local Governments, the Local Government Planning Bureau and the Joint Project Development Agency was put in place. These institutional structures have helped in the implementation of projects and programmes at the Local Government levels.

“Our relationships with the traditional institutions have further helped in strengthening the implementation of projects and programmes for the teeming population at this level. In the 2022 fiscal year, we shall continue with these collaborations and fine-tune the processes as the situation might warrant. The sum of One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira (N115, 000,000.00) is proposed for investment in this sub-sector”.

(vii) Internal Security and Ethical Orientation.

Yahaya said his administration had accorded top priority to internal security and the re-orientation of mindset of the people towards peaceful co-existence and the protection of lives and properties while appreciating all the stakeholders especially the security agencies, the traditional, religious and community leaders for their efforts in sustaining peace in the societies and the sum of One Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirty Million Naira(N1,730,000,000.00) is allocated for investment in the Internal Security and Ethical Orientation sub-sector.

(viii) Information and Culture shall continue to provide the enabling environment for information dissemination and promotion of the cultural heritage. “

For this, the sum of Four Hundred and Five Million Naira (N405, 000,000.00) is allocated in the 2022 budget.”

General Administration

They shall continue to strengthen the civil service through capacity building, payment of salaries as well as addressing the needs of the retired civil servants for them to live a dignified retirement life while they reduced the backlog of gratuities up to 2015 with plans to continue with the same while ensuring timely enrolment of retired workers into the pension scheme as well as implementation of the national Minimum wage to the workers and have remained consistent.

To boost morale in the service, he said that he approved the promotion of 104 Directors in the service and the exercise would continue across all cadres.

“This administration will continue to ensure good governance for the people and strengthen ministerial engagements for effective service delivery as well as ensure cordiality in the relationship between all arms of government. It is in this regards that we embarked on biometric verification and attendance processes to reposition and strengthen the civil service. For this sub-sector, the sum of Four Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N4, 374,500,000.00) is earmarked”.

LAW AND JUSTICE

This administration, he said, will continue to strengthen the operations of the Law and Justice sector for the benefit of all in the society while the sum of Two Billion, Six Hundred and Seven Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira (N2, 607,100,000.00) is provided in the 2022 budget for the sector.

Internal Revenue Generation Drive

Governor Yahaya said that they needed to look inward and improve the internal revenue drive despite the challenges in the global oil market and the effect of the COVID-19 on the world economy.

” It is in this regards that our administration has put in place several initiatives towards boosting internal revenue generation. Some of these actions include repositioning the Internal Revenue Service for improved performance, identification of new revenue sources, advocacy and sensitization of the populace on the need to pay their taxes. These efforts will be continued and stepped up as we strive to improve our internal revenue base”.

Noting that no matter how good the developmental initiatives and plans are without fiscal discipline and responsibility; it would be an exercise in futility.

“This administration will therefore continue to provide the enabling environment for the operation of this sector to ensure transparency and accountability. It is in line with this that I recently signed into law the Autonomy bill for the legislative and Judicial Arms of Government”

Presentation of the 2022 budget, he said that he presented the budget estimates in the line with the Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for deliberations and passage.