Bauchi Gov Presents Over 213BN 2021 Proposed Budget to Assembly

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad of Bauchi State on Tuesday presented to the State House of Assembly, a  proposed budget of over Two Hundred and Thirteen Billion Naira for the 2021 fiscal year.

Presenting the budget estimate, the governor said over One Hundred and Twenty Billion Naira was earmarked for capital projects and over Ninety Three Billion Naira for recurrent expenditures.

Governor Bala Mohammed who explained that the year 2021 budget was prepared on the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), assured that, the state government will continue to use it because of its flexibility and compliance with the State's Fiscal Responsibility Law (2009).

He also said the budget has been prepared in compliance with the National Format and Chart of Accounts to aid the implementation of the International Public-Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) on cash Basis. 

The governor said the 2021 budget has been predicated on the national assumptions on oil production, benchmark oil price, exchange rate of Naira to US dollar and a robust and efficient system of internally generated revenue collection. 

He said the state government has in the course of the preparation of the 2021 budget taken a number of measures which include, embarking on capital projects that will enhance Bauchi Urban renewal, continued reduction in non-essential overheads, execution of capital expenditures both COVID-19 related and those considered critical by the government and maintenance of critical spending on core government services. 

The rest he said are,  achieving COVID-19 complaint budget, reviewing revenue projections to reflect current realities, reducing to the barest minimum, the number of ghost workers through effective payroll management to generate more funds in order to pave way new employment and complying with NGF Budget guidelines that may be given from time to time.

According to him, in the preparation of the Fiscal Strategy Paper, both scientific and historical approaches remained the major tools of economic analysis for a credible 2021 budget and 2021-2023 MTEF, adding that, Bauchi has since moved from the 26 digits to current 52 digits of IPSAS National Chart of Accounts.

"This year's Budget is higher because it was prepared in such a way that projects and programmes captured will most likely be implemented. We have focused our attention on projects that are strategic for the development of the state."

"Mr Speaker, Honorable members, in an effort to ensure that, the budget is participatory, inclusive, grassroots oriented and in line with International best practices, Budget Public Hearings were conducted in the three Senatorial Districts where input from stakeholders were elicited and included into the Budget."

"The Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the relevant MDAs is working hand in hand to achieve complete compliance with international best practices in financial openness as it is encapsulated in the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS)."

Governor Bala Mohammed who said the budget tagged "Budget of Consolidation" was designed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens of the state. 

"I am soliciting the cooperation of the Honorable House in carrying a reform in all sectors of the state's economy. As the journey may not be an easy one, it it therefore imperative to put all hands on deck to succeed it in the interest of our dear state."

On 2020 Budget implementation, the governor said despite the challenges faced in the implementation of the budget, his administration has recorded moderate successes in the budget implementation. 

Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Honorable Abubakar Y Suleiman assured timely passage of the budget to enable the state government implement its projects and programmes captured in the budget.