Ganduje pledges 100,000 jobs, presents N245.3b 2023 Budget

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje yesterday presented a 2023 budget of N245, 31,516,94.08k to the state House of Assembly.

Besides, the governor renewed his commitment to create 100,000 jobs for teeming youths in the state aimed at reducing unemployment and restiveness in the ancient city.

Tagged budget of ‘Consolidation and Prosperity Two’, Ganduje dedicated over N144 billion representing 59 per cent to capital expenditure while recurrent expenditure got over N100 billion amounting 41 per cent.

Ganduje explained that the key policy trust of the last budget of his administration was quality education, especially a reform of the Almajiri system, improved security and infrastructure, food security and social empowerment, among other commitments.

In sectoral allocations, Ganduje said N62 billion was appropriated to education to actualise some laudable policies including free and compulsory education in basic and post basic education.

Health got over N39.1 billion; Works and Infrastructure got over N35 billion, General Administration got N32.6 billion, Agriculture N19.9 billion, Water Supply N15 billion while Security and Law got N12 billion.

Also, Transportation received an allocation of N8.7 billion, Rural Community and Development N3.9 billion, Information N2.3 billion, Land Management and Urban Planning N1.4 billion, Women Affairs and Youth N1.2 billion, Commerce N1.7 billion, Environment and Sanitation N1 billion and Tourism and Culture N328 million.

While calling for speedy passage of the appropriation bill, Ganduje challenged the Ministries of Budget and Planning, Finance and other concerned agencies to ensure strict adherence to the implementation and enforcement of the budget when passed.

He expressed fulfillment with the socio-economic and infrastructural development recorded by his administration in the last seven and a half years, stressing that the 2023 budget proposal was a product of quality assurance and commitment to transform Kano.

Responding to the presentation of the Executive Bill, Speaker of the House, Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari pledged the Assembly’s readiness to speedily carry out legislative works on the budget.

He said the Assembly would sustain the January to December budget cycle but called on the ministries and agencies to come forward and defend the bill appropriately.