Bauchi State House of Assembly has groaned over what it calls low revenue generation by the Bauchi State revenue generating MDAs.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Abubakar Suleiman made the complaint on Tuesday when he presented the 2021 Budget to the State Governor for assent.
The Speaker who applauded the State governor for spreading projects across the 20 LGAs of the State says that one of the bottleneck militating against development in Bauchi State was connected with the poor performance of revenue-generating agencies.
He said the State Assembly will intensify its oversight functions to press the revenue-generating agencies to do more, which he said will help accelerate development in the state.
The Speaker also said the State House of Assembly will effectively exercise its oversight powers to ensure full implementation of the 2021 budget.
Hon Abubakar Suleiman called on the Executive Arm not to panic and misconstrue their effort to ensure the strict implementation of the budget as a plot to witch-hunt the heads of MDAs or a way of enriching themselves but rather the exercise of their constitutional right to ensure check and balance.
He explained that the timely passage of the budget is not unconnected with the Honourable Members’ commitment, patriotism, mutual cooperation and understanding existing between the legislative and the executive arms in the State.
The Speaker hoped that 2021 would be religiously implemented for the provision of dividends of democracy to citizens of the State and commended the cooperation and efforts exhibited by MDAs, particularly the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning which expedite the timely completion of the processes.
“Your Excellency, we are here today once again to present to you the 2021 approved estimates for your assent as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
“The approved 2021 budget estimates, which has a total of N213,914,559,427.00 was presented to the Honourable House on the 15th of December 2020 for legislations. The total amount consists of N92,994,971,655.00 which represents 43% as recurrent expenditure. While on the other hand, capital expenditure took 57% of the total amount, which is N120,919,587,773.00.
“The Honourable House, has upon receipt of the bill, suspended all other activities and commenced action immediately and worked round the clock and successfully completed the work within a reasonable time,” He said.
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Signed the approved 2021 budget thanking members of the State House of Assembly for working round the clock and working very hard in synergy with the State Executive Council to pass the budget within ten days.
The governor promised that the state government will expand the provision of projects across all the nooks and crannies of the state with the inputs of the lawmakers in the budget to ensure equity and justice.
