Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has presented a N480.9 billion budget proposal to the state House of Assembly with the highest allocation to state ministry of works, follows by the ministry of education.
Presenting the 2024 budget proposal of ₦480,993,632,369.00 (Four Hundred and Eighty Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Three Million, Six Hundred and Thirty-Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty-Nine Naira) in the hallowed chambers, on Wednesday, christened it ‘Budget of Sustainable and Shared Prosperity’.
Governor Diri explained that the Appropriation Bill was a budget of consolidation as “we march into our second term in office following the renewed mandate given to us by the good people of Bayelsa State.
According to him, the 73 percent performance of the outgoing year 2023 budget ensured the administration made a great impact across different sectors, “hence, the wide acceptance of the Prosperity Government by the people.”
READ ALSO: http://Why Ondo dep. gov. was asked to write a resignation letter, by Assembly Speaker
The governor stated that in the 2024 financial year, “our government will focus on completing several ongoing projects and will commence new ones with the highest allocation of N141.8 billion to the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure followed by the Ministry of Education at N49.8 billion and then the Ministry of Health at N26 billion.
“In keeping with the priorities and goals of our prosperity agenda to create wealth among the people, the specific objectives of the 2024 budget will include deliberate plans to empower indigenes-owned businesses and expand these businesses as well as create more manpower through different skills acquisition trainings and educational institutions
“As a government of Prosperity, the government will invest more in peace, security, and the power sector to attract new investments into Bayelsa State”, he added.
Only nine ministries were budgeted for including:
1) EDUCATION
N49,888,306,256.36
2) HEALTH
N26,041,947,470.72
3) WORKS & INFRASTRUCTURE
N141,837,745,560.20
4) ENVIRONMENT
N15,554,283,741.68
5) LANDS & HOUSING
N6,876,522,923.84
6) TRANSPORT
N6,424,223,686.84
7) YOUTHS & SPORTS
N7,656,552,945.96
8) AGRICULTURE
N14,886,332,487.68
9) POWER
N6,049,606,384.84
Total planned Recurrent Expenditure would amount to 46.41% , while the total Capital Expenditure would amount to 53.59%.
Governor Diri, who emphasised the commitment of his administration to the implementation of its agenda as delineated in the priorities, expressed his gratitude to the people of Bayelsa State for endorsing the government of Prosperity for a second term in office.
READ ALSO: http://Bishop Oyedepo admonishes son, Isaac as he unveils own ministry
He continued, “I am confident that your massive votes confirmed your alignment with the policies and financial decisions that this government made, through this Assembly, to achieve our collective vision of prosperity,” he added.
He also pledged to ensure strict discipline, transparency, and due process in the implementation of the 2024 budget.
“In this regard, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is empowered to regularly analyse, monitor and evaluate the budget performance against the various government policies, programmes and projects,” he said.
In keeping with the priorities and goals of the prosperity agenda, Governor Diri said the specific objectives of the 2024 budget included “increase our indigenous participation in the ownership and management of businesses; to continue to provide relevant, quality and skilled manpower training facilities in our educational institutions; to mobilise men and resources for a good healthcare delivery system, among other objectives.
Earlier in his address, Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, lauded Governor Diri and his team for “their commitment, courage and character in implementing the 2023 budget”. He maintained that members of the Assembly were proud of “the various ongoing projects at different levels of completion.”
Specifically appreciating his commitment and efforts in creating the enabling environment for projects such as the Yenagoa/Oporoma/Ukubie road ,reconstruction of flood imparted roads in the state, the Sagbama/Ekeremor road, Glory Drive, Igbogene outer ring road, internal roads, Toru-Orua-Toru-Ebeni Road, Nembe/Brass Road, and among others, the Speaker pointed out that “these are projects that have direct bearing on the people”.
Igobere , on behalf his Members, pledged to give the budget an expedite approval.
