Education, health takes lion share as Gov Agbu presents 2024 budget

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, on Friday presented a budget estimate of 311, 388, 525, 661.96bn for the 2024 fiscal year to the Taraba State House of Assembly which education lead with the total of 43,208,278,849.29. and health N33,054,686,848.04 billion.

Tagged, ‘The Budget of Moving Forward’ was presented at the chamber of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Assembly complex Jalingo.

The proposed budget comprises 111,679,595,358.59 billion recurrent expenditure which is 35.9 percent of the total budget, and 199,708,930,303.37 billion for capital expenditure, which is 64.1 percent of the budget.

Agbu noted that the 2024 budget Estimates was aims at fostering sustainable growth, social development, Agriculture and rural development, infrastructure development, Governance, and public financial management.

Speaking on the performance of the 2023 budget, Agbu said 13.9 per cent of the total receipt went for recurrent expenditure and 12.3 per cent went for capital expenditure. The total percentage performance of the Budget therefore stood at 26.2 per cent as against the expected 75 per cent for the period under review.

According to the Governor, “Education is the bedrock of any progressive society. To this end, a substantial portion of the 2024 budget is dedicated to the education sector. We aim to enhance infrastructure in schools, improve teachers training, and invest in educational technology to ensure our youth receive the best possible education.

“The well-being of our citizens is of paramount importance. The budget includes significant allocations to strengthen our health care system, improve facilities, and enhance the welfare of healthcare professionals. We are committed to ensuring accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services for all Tarabans”. He said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. John kizito Bonzena, assured the governor that the 2024 appropriation bill consideration would commence in earnest and given necessary attention by the legislators.