Date: 2017-02-13

... As Sokoto Makes It 27.3%

In a clear departure from observable trend in the budget presentations across the 36 states of the federation, the Kwara state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, has earmarked N29 billion for the education sector in his 2017 budget presentation.

In the over N135.3 billion budget presented before the state House of Assembly for the 2017 fiscal year, education takes 22 per cent of the total budget size.

Laying the budget tagged: 'budget of introspection and sustenance', is an increase of 29 billion Naira of the revised 2016 appropriation law.

The governor stated that over N7 billion is earmarked for capital expenditure while 57 billion, is for recurrent expenditure estimate, saying that economic affairs was allotted the highest vote, with an estimate of over N35 billion which represents 26% of the budget size.

The governor said the 2017 budget was anchored on current economic realities and determination to look inwards for sustained prosperity and development.

He reassured the state residents of his administration's commitment to implementing result-oriented policies and programmes that would boost economic activities, unlock growth and create jobs in the 2017 financial year.

"All on-going capital projects under the general public service sector will be accorded the highest priority to ensure their completion in 2017 financial year.

In his review of the 2016 budget, the governor stated that owing to the importance of education to the overall development of the State, great emphasis was placed on the sub-sector in 2016.

"As a result, the State Government provided a total sum of N119 million to conduct the State Entrance Examination, BasicEducation Certificate Examination, Joint Mock Examination, WAEC and NECO Examination and Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary School Certificate Examination.

He added; "Our tertiary institutions received Government's attention in terms of Infrastructural Development which led to success in accreditation. For instance, the KWASU College of Engineering Project Phase 1 was taken to 90% completion.

"In the same vein, the School of Midwifery, Ilorin which got the sum of N129 million for the rehabilitation of the new site of the school in the year under review.

Similarly, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State gave the largest share of the 2017 budget to the education sector.

The sector received the highest allocation of over N38.43 billion, representing 27.3 per cent. Of the estimate, 69 per cent was dedicated to capital projects, while 31 per cent was dedicated to recurrent expenditure.