From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State yesterday presented a budget estimate of over N98,545,599.853 billion to the State House of Assembly.
Presenting the budget tagged ‘Budget of consolidation’, the governor disclosed that his government has proposed the sum of N52,827,072,284 for recurrent expenditure while the sum of N45,718,527,569 is for capital expenditure.
Suswam said the budget is premised on the fact that revenue accruing from the federation account will remain stable, leakages of revenue siphoning will be blocked, government policies as well as proper arrangement would be made to accommodate political activities.
He noted that the sharp reduction of 2015 estimate as against the 2014 of N108 billion is as a result of the decline in revenue from the federation account, adding that it is owing to the drop in oil price.
Suswam allocated N25, 553,991,000 to the education, health care and women affairs, N2,343,019,200 to conduct local government areas, N1.4 billion for pension, N19,093,937,000 and another N725,000.000 for the agriculture sector while the law and justice sub-sector and the regional sub-sector is to gulp N1.3 million and N200,000,000 respectively.
He promised to ensure payment of salaries of civil servants, implementation of government programs, complete ongoing projects as well as ensure security during the election.
