Education gulps N22.2bn, Agriculture, N5.5bn

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has submitted his budget proposal of one hundred and eleven billion, four million naira (N111.4bn) for the 2016 fiscal year.

In total, Governor Masari said thirty eight billion, four million naira (N38.4bn) which is thirty four percent (34%) of the budget would be spent on recurrent expenditure, while seventy four billion, seven million naira (N74.7bn) that is sixty six per cent (66%) of the budget would be spent on capital expenditure.

According to Governor Masari, twenty billion and two million naira (N22.2 billion) would be for the development of the education sector in 2016. Eighty per cent (80%) of which would be allocated to the renovation of primary and secondary schools in Katsina State, with the remaining twenty percent going to tertiary institutions.

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The reason for this as addressed by Alhaji Abdullahi Imam, the Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Masari on Budget and Economic Affairs, is to provide for a conducive atmosphere for learning for pupils and students in primary and secondary schools respectively.

In his words, "the government would use part of the funds to equip secondary and primary schools with furniture and other teaching aids.

“The government will use the funds to recruit more teachers for the primary and secondary schools in the state.

“We are determined to upgrade schools so as to create a good environment to boost enrolment of pupils and secondary school students in the state.”

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Furthermore, In line with the budget breakdown, about five billion, five million naira (N5.5bn) would be allocated to agriculture.

To Masari, the reason for allocating funds in that manner is because the state administration wants to revive these sectors and restore them to their former glory.

Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Aliyu Maduru, said the state would need to look inwards for internally-generated revenue to meet the need of governance and development of infrastructure. He also ensure the Governor that the Appropriation bill would be quickly passed by the house.

The budget has been tagged by the Governor, "the restoration of hope" budget.