The Gombe State House of Assembly has approved a budget of N208.064 billion for the year 2024, marking a slight increase of N300 million from the N207.75 billion initially proposed by Governor Inuwa Yahaya. This significant development was disclosed in a statement released by Mr. Umaru Ma’aji, the Chief Information Officer of the House, on a Wednesday in Gombe.
In response to this milestone, the Speaker of the House, Abubakar Luggerewo, expressed his gratitude to the legislators for their unwavering support, cooperation, and the diligent management of the Appropriation Bill. The passage of the bill came after meticulous scrutiny and presentation of the 2024 budget estimate by the House Committee on Appropriation, echoing the dedication and responsibility of the legislative body.
According to Mr. Ma’aji, the Chairman of the Committee responsible for the 2024 budget, Mr. Aliyu Baba-Manu, emphasized the focal point of the budget on the completion of ongoing projects within the state. Furthermore, Baba-Manu shed light on the observation that many budget officers in the MDAs were not well-versed with the budget provisions, as outlined in the medium-term expenditure framework, MTEF. Consequently, he recommended that the budget office ensure the transmission of the executive council’s approved budget to the ministries, embellishing the integrity of the N208 billion budget size for the year 2024.
Governor Yahaya originally presented the N207.75 billion budget to the House for legislative consideration on December 4th. Notably, the budget proposal allocates 42 per cent (N87.25 billion) for recurrent expenditure and 58 per cent (N120.5 billion) for capital expenditure. Titled “Budget of Continuity and Consolidation,” this budget stands as a testament to continuity and a consolidation of developmental efforts in Gombe State.
The passage of the N208.064 billion budget for 2024 reflects a pivotal moment in the state’s trajectory, signifying a concerted effort by the legislative and executive arms of the government to steer Gombe towards sustained progress, prosperity, and holistic development.
