Governor Yahaya Bello on Monday presented N258.2 billion as Kogi State’s 2024 Appropriation Bill for approval by the state House of Assembly.

The budget is higher by N60.67 billion, compared to N197.59 billion Revised Approved Budget of 2023. It has N145.73 billion as a recurrent expenditure and a capital expenditure of N112.54 billion.

Presenting the bill before the state legislators at the renovated assembly complex, Mr Bello said the budget, tagged: “2024 Budget of Consolidation and Continuity for Inclusive Growth”, was to consolidate the gains of the 2023 fiscal year.

On sectoral allocations, Mr Bello said administration had N64.3 billion; economy, N82 billion; law and justice, N14.97 billion; and social affairs, N96.98 billion.

He explained that the budget’s objective was to improve the quality of education at all levels and make it accessible to all citizens. 

According to him, it is to further democratise access to healthcare by sustained improvement in the efficiency of the healthcare delivery system, ensure food security, and generate a high proportion of the GDP from agriculture.

“It’s also aimed at exploiting the full potential of our economy and expanding trade and commerce in the state to have access to markets locally and internationally,,“ the governor stated. 

Mr Bello also said the budget would ensure youth employment and create avenues for developing their talents. 

He said the budget is “ to establish the necessary framework for a robust mining and solid minerals sector to brand Kogi as the foremost solid minerals mining destination in Nigeria and improve the road network in urban and rural areas.

The governor said the network would be improved through the construction of new roads and bridges and the rehabilitation of existing ones. 

Mr Bello added that the budget will also ensure proper management of environmental challenges.

Earlier, Speaker Umar Yusuf assured of a closer working relationship in thoroughly examining the new budget before its passage.

“I seek the cooperation of heads of ministries, departments, and agencies of government in ensuring due diligence is done to give the document accelerated passage,” Mr Yusuf said.

 (NAN)