Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, on Friday, presented the proposed 2025 appropriation bill of N526.9 billion to the State House of Assembly. 

Tagged the ”Transformation and Infrastructural Sustainability Budget,” the governor highlighted plans to implement a new minimum wage of N70,000 for state workers starting from January 2025.

He expressed gratitude to the civil servants for their support to his administration.

Mr Aliyu disclosed that the budget comprised N176.3 billion for recurrent expenditure and N349.4 billion for capital expenditure.

“This allocation reflects a focus on capital projects, which takes 66 per cent of the total budget, while 34 per cent is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

“The key components of the recurrent expenditure include the new minimum wage for state workers, payment of pensions and gratuities for senior citizens, and the overhead costs of running government operations,” he explained.

The governor said that the education sector received the highest allocation of 25 per cent, followed by the health sector, underscoring his administration’s commitment to critical development areas.

Reviewing the 2024 budget, Mr Aliyu said efforts to tackle banditry in the state have begun yielding positive results, crediting the successes to the gallant efforts of security personnel and the government’s focus on enhancing safety.

“Security challenges in some local government areas remain a significant concern in spite of some notable achievements.

“However, we are determined to accelerate economic growth and development across the state,” he stated.

Mr Aliyu pledged to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other key stakeholders to address recurring security challenges bedeviling the state.

The governor also expressed gratitude to the lawmakers, traditional rulers, elder statesmen, religious leaders and the citizens for their support and prayers for his administration’s success.

In his response,  the Speaker, Tukur Bala, congratulated Mr Aliyu on the budget presentation and assured its swift legislative approval to facilitate the state’s development agenda. 

(NAN)