PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2014
PAGE 11
Being a Speech Delivered by His Excellency, (Dr.) Sule Lamido CON During the Presentation of Year 2014 Appropriation Bill to the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Tuesday, 7th January, 2014 DFID funded PATHS and PRINN-MCH and the new Women for Health Programmes for their unrelenting support for the health sector. 16. Mr. Speaker, as earlier mentioned, N3.8 billion would be available for various capital investments in the health sector. While this is only 27% of the allocation for social services as a whole, the allocations to the various components of the sector take full cognizance of priorities identified in the medium-term strategic health plan and 2014 - 2016 medium term sector strategy developed for the sector. Key among the specific investments include: • Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital earmarked the sum of N250 million; • Maternal and Child Healthcare Programmes for which the sum of N350 million is provided specifically to cover the cost of ongoing free maternal and child health care services in the state for pregnant women and children under the age of five; • Improvement and Expansion of Primary and Secondary Health Facilities is allocated over N1.3 billion including provision of medical equipments; • Health Training Institutions comprising of College of Nursing & Midwifery and School of Health Technology are earmarked N350 million; • HIV-AIDS, Malaria and other Diseases Control Programmes are earmarked N700 million; Presently, HIV-AIDS prevalence in Jigawa State is among the lowest in the Country while substantial progress has been made in the last few years in dealing with the scourge of Malaria and other diseases like TB and Leprosy. Government would continue to invest resources in these areas; [iii] Information, Women and Social Development - The sum of N1.8 billion is proposed to be expended in this sector. Principally, this will be devoted to: • Completion and commissioning of the State Television Project; • Scale-up of Safe Motherhood Initiative Program - the popular “Haihuwa Lafiya Programme and continuation of other Women Empowerment Initiatives. 17. Urban and Regional Development - These consist of Water Supply; Housing; Town and Regional Planning; and Environment. The amount proposed for the sector is N6.65 billion distributed among the key components of the sector as follows: (i) Water Supply - N1.87 billion is proposed to be expended on three major areas namely: • Rural Water Supply and Sanitation N300 million; • Small Towns Water Supply N580 million; and • Urban Water Supply N990 million; (ii) Housing – Shelter, being one of the basic needs for a decent living, would continue to attract direct Government investment. There is no doubt, significant strides have been made in the last few years particularly in the State Capital where private estate developers have also complemented Government efforts in meeting the housing needs of a gradually emerging cosmopolitan city. The amount earmarked in this regard is N1.52 billion. This would cover construction of a Banquet Hall, Completion of State Legislators’ Residences and ongoing Housing Authority Programmes; (iii) Urban and Regional Development – The sum of N1.9 billion is allocated for this. Major amongst the projects and programmes proposed to be implemented include: • Environmental Protection & Development • Provision of Street Lights along newly constructed roads in Dutse and other Urban Centres; and • Payment of compensation in respect of Land and Properties affected by public works projects such as schools, roads, etc; General Administration 18. Government investments within the General Administration Sector is aimed at the provision and maintenance of institutions and structures of governance and public service delivery in all the three arms of Government. Projects and programmes so far undertaken within the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial arms have led to the creation of government institutions that are properly repositioned to efficiently deliver effective services to the public. 19. The amount allocated to General Administration is N3.31 billion. This is to facilitate the provision of a pleasant governance environment and further institutional development within the executive, legislative and the judicial arms. Some of the major areas where the amount is proposed to be expended include: [i] Completion of outstanding furnishings in the New State Secretariat Complex including completion of data and internet connectivity; [ii] Improvement and expansion of structures under the State Judiciary; [iii] Rehabilitation of Jigawa State Government properties located in Kano, Abuja and Kaduna; [iv] Expansion of Jigawa State Manpower Development Institute; and [v] Procurement of Official and Utility Vehicles for Government Agencies. 20. Mr. Speaker, that is the outline of the Proposed Budget for which I submit the 2014 Appropriation Bill. You would notice that the proposed budget is realistically modest and logically connected to the underline philosophy of our vision. As I earlier observed, while there are grounds for optimism, the fiscal terrain during the forthcoming year may still be rough. However, securing real and lasting improvement in the lives of the people of Jigawa State remains our ultimate goal. I therefore urge us all to remain resolute in this resolve. Surely, Allah will always be our guide. The Local Government Budgets 21. As usual, in line with our comprehensive approach to development, I am presenting the budget of the State Government alongside that of the 27 Local Governments. As you are aware, all the Local Governments have developed their Local Government Economic Development Strategy which defines their overall development agenda. Indeed, this is also in line with the provisions of section 7 Sub-section 3 of the
Constitution which makes it mandatory for the local government councils to participate in economic planning and development of the State. 22. Mr. Speaker, even as we are making preparations for the conduct of Local Government elections in the next few days, constitutional imperatives demand for the preparation and submission of the Local Government proposed estimates. As legislators, you are all aware of the provision of Section 7(i) of the Constitution which reads inter-alia “… the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed…”. It is thus in the spirit of the Constitution and as true democrats, that we have consistently ensured that our Local Councils only operate under a democratic dispensation. 23. The consolidated revenue and expenditure position of all the 27 Local Governments indicate that almost N65,439,000,000 would accrue from various sources to finance the expenditure programmes of the Local Governments. Over two-thirds of the revenue is expected to accrue from statutory transfers while the balance would be from internal revenue and other capital receipts. The consolidated expenditure position indicate that about N41.8 billion equivalent to almost 64% of the total income would be expended on recurrent expenditure consisting of personnel and overhead costs. The balance of 36% is in respect of Capital Investments equivalent to about N23.7 billion. 24. The capital expenditure programmes largely cuts across projects and programmes that complement our efforts in ensuring quality in the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people. This perfectly fits with one of the statutory functions of the Local Government Councils which require them to actively participate in the planning and economic development of the State. You would also recall that Local Government Law No. 7 of 2007 [as amended] was enacted by this Honorable House to provide for specific roles and responsibilities for the LGAs. It is in line with this, that several projects and programmes were proposed under the capital component of the LGA Budgets to enhance collaboration and provide a common framework for the development of Jigawa State. These include among others: • Completion and furnishing of the residences of Local Government Council Chairmen; • Construction of mini Skill Acquisition Centres in 24 Local Governments Areas; • Capital contribution for State & Local Government joint funding of major state-wide capital development projects and programmes; • Payment of Local Government share in the re-capitalization of Jigawa Savings & Loans Limited in which the 27 Local Government Councils have 14% stake; and • Implementation of Millennium Development Goals Conditional Grants in a number of the Local Governments; 25. Details of all the proposed revenue and expenditure estimates of both the State Government and the 27 Local Government Councils would be found attached to the respective Appropriation Bills submitted herewith. Conclusion 26. Mr. Speaker - that is the proposed budgets of the State Government and the 27 Local Government Councils for the 2014 Fiscal Year. There is no doubt, that the budgets as proposed, are realistic and in tune with the yearnings and aspirations of our people. I therefore urge you to consider the proposals with a high sense of duty and responsibility. 27. Mr. Speaker, Hon. Members before I hand over the budget details of the State Government and that of the 27 Local Governments, allow me to reflect on the life of this administration, as to see where we a coming from, where are we now, and where we intend to be in the future. In my inaugural speech on May 29, 2007 I captured in the most succinct way the status of our dear state, and I quote … “As you all might be aware, our state manifests the worst indices of underdevelopment. I was born and raised here and have spent most part of my adult life in the state. I have also been actively involved in the affairs of the state since my PRP days. Nevertheless, it was the recent electioneering campaign tour that exposed me to the problems of our people in the most pathetic degree. In summary, the campaign tour brought me face to face with uniquely unmitigated case of underdevelopment call Jigawa State”. That was where we were six years ago in 2007. And to capture the fright in me of the herculean task ahead, I almost indulged in self pity and I quote from the same speech…… “This reality was worsened for me by the out pouring of emotions from the elderly men, women and youths, some of them weeping in many cases. This is something I interpreted as a subtle reminder to me of the material and social helplessness of their lives. How they came to conclusion that I can make a difference in their lives baffles me! But I accept it as an invitation and an expression of their belief that somehow, I can make the difference, that together, we can fight poverty” end of quote. Alhamdu-Lillah, six years on today we can confidently say yes we have made a difference; yes, Jigawa of today is Jigawa of Peace, Love, Security and Stability; yes, Jigawa citizens are no longer timid or shy; yes, Jigawa people are confident, proud, happy and honor; yes, Jigawa people are Jigawa people. INDEED, WE HAVE TODAY MADE THE DIFFERENCE. As I stand before you, here all, this is the last full year’s budget I shall be presenting to you as we approach the concluding life of this administration as your Governor. By this time next year, January 2015, I shall be presenting to you the full year’s budget, which I will partly implement during the period of January – May, 2015 with our Governorship Candidate, who In-Sha-Allah will be our next Governor of Jigawa State to carry on where we stopped. 28. Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to hand over to you the Jigawa State Government and Local Governments Appropriation Bills for the year 2014. 29.
Alhamdu-Lillah.