Rahma Ahmed
By Ahmed Rahma
The 2021 appropriation bill of N120 billion passed by the Gombe State House of Assembly has been signed into law by the state governor, Mr Muhammadu Yahaya.
The budget, signed on Wednesday, has a total of N120,346,536,626.00, which reflected an increase of N682,680,000.00 over the initial sum of N119,663,856,626.00 proposed by the executive.
According to Mr Yahaya, while signing the budget titled Budget of Resilience into law, his administration will improve the lots of Gombe state people next year.
“Around this time last year, we assented 2020 budget, around 27th, we signed the appropriation budget. This year, we are some days ahead, which means we are improving on efficiency, processes, and procedures in order to improve the lots of the people of Gombe State.
Speaking at the Council Chamber of the Government House, he attributed the expeditious passage of the bill into law to the harmonious relationship amongst the arms of government in the state.
He appreciated his people for their support to his present administration and the House of Assembly for the effective and efficient way they handled the appropriation bill and other bills sent to it by the executive arm, saying “this shows the level of synergy existing among the three arms of government.”
He said, “We must ensure that the greatest chunk of the people’s money goes back to the people especially with the intent of the party, which is to give service to humanity.
“The fact that we christened this budget, Budget of Resilience means we must be more resilient, more cooperative, and hardworking.
“Everybody knows the effect of the covid-19 Pandemic and what it has created not only within the Nigerian society but indeed the entire world and if we work hard enough to overcome the challenges we shall come out stronger more than ever before”.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Mr Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, said the budget was given expeditious passage because of its contents which he noted have given priority to the economic development and welfare of the people.
Mr Mohammed said the 52 per cent for capital expenditure and 48 per cent for recurrent expenditure indicated a clear departure from what was obtained in the past where expenditure on governance outweighed service to the people.
The speaker lauded Governor Yahaya for concentrating on people-oriented projects, policies and programmes which he termed as the hallmark of inclusive governance that prioritizes accountability and transparency.
The budget signing ceremony was witnessed by senior government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, and members of the state House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, Commissioner of Finance, Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Planning and Development Partners Coordination among others.
