Shekarau signs 2010 budget into law

Shekarau said a large portion of the budget which is technically the last to be implemented by his administration will be used to complete ongoing giant projects in the state. He said: “It is important for people to understand that budgets are mere projections based on the expected revenue to be generated internally as well […]

Shekarau said a large portion of the budget which is technically the last to be implemented by his administration will be used to complete ongoing giant projects in the state.

He said: “It is important for people to understand that budgets are mere projections based on the expected revenue to be generated internally as well as revenue to be received from the federal government which the state has no absolute control over.”

He said with a view to improve internally generated revenue, the state hired the services of tax generating consultants whose impact has since been felt in the state, but insisted that the budget was a mere projection. He also lamented the dwindling nature of the federation account.

Shekarau further called on members of the public to cooperate with the state’s revenue board and the hired tax generating consultants by paying their taxes on time, saying, “with such cooperation, the state is likely to generate more revenue which in turn will enhance the budget implementation.”

He also said for the sake of transparency and accountability, the state’s Ministry of Budget and Planning has published the budget as it has been the tradition since his assumption of office and urged anyone interested to purchase a copy at the cost of N5000 at the ministry. He said comments and constructive criticisms on the budget will be entertained.

Speaking earlier, the state’s Commissioner for Budget and Planning Alhaji Nour Sani Hanga, said his ministry will continue to liaise with the state’s Ministry of Finance and all other ministries, parastatals and government agencies in the state for a smooth implementation of the budget.

Hanga commended efforts of the staff of the ministry who tirelessly made the budget as well as the members of the state House of Assembly for the apt and timely passage of the appropriation budget into law.