2021: Candido submits N10bn budget to AMAC Legislative council

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abdullahi Adamu Candido yesterday presented a 2021 budget proposal in the tune of ten billion, eighty-seven million, two hundred and twenty-eight thousand, two hundred and sixty-eight Naira (N10,087,228,268.00) to the Council’s Legislative arm for consideration and approval.
Our correspondent reports that the total proposed estimates for the 2021 Fiscal year tagged ‘Budget of Resilience’, represents a nominal increase of 10.4% above the previous year’s estimate of 8.7 billion Naira.
Candido, while presenting the 2021 Appropriation Bill to the legislatures inside the AMAC hallowed chamber, disclosed that the budget was aimed at bringing to the doorstep of every resident of the council, the dividends of democracy.
He noted that despite the setbacks experienced by the council in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his administration remains committed to sustainable rural transformation.
He explained that the budget adopted the zero based budgeting approach, which is a product of collaborative effort of relevant stakeholders, including the legislative, executive and all departments of the council.
Giving a breakdown of the budget proposal, the AMAC Chairman revealed that the sum of N5.71 billion has been allocated for capital expenditure, representing 56.67 per cent of the budget, while recurrent expenditure will gulp N4.37 billion, representing 43.33 per cent.
He added that the personnel cost will gulp N2.75 billion, representing 28.56 per cent, and N1.46 billion earmarked for over head cost, representing14.77 per cent.
According to him, the increase in personnel cost is as a result of expected staff promotion and proposed minimum wage increase as well as minimum wage arrears.
He further reiterated that the thrust of AMAC capital projects in 2021 will be completion of many on-going projects rather than starting new ones.
“By allocating 56.67% of 2021 budget to capital projects, the Council is also demonstrating its strong commitment to continue to develop our infrastructure across the 12 Wards of the Council.
“May I appeal to the Honourable members to expedite the Legislative process for prompt passage of this Appropriation Bill in order to increase the resilience tempo with which we approach the 2021 fiscal year”, he stressed.
On his part, the Speaker of the AMAC Legislative Council, Hon. Abubakar Baushe, who presided over the legislative session said there would thorough consideration of the 2021 appropriation bill.
Baushe, who commended Candido assured that there would be efficient legislative action on the budget estimates, to boost the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.