Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, says the N31 billion increase in the 2025 estimate will address gaps in key sectors.
Recall that Governor Babagana Zulum on December 9 presented a N584.76 billion proposed budget, to the state House of Assembly.
However, the legislators approved N615,857 billion budget with an increase of over N31 billion for the 2025 fiscal year.
Lawan, who gave the clarifications in an interview on Tuesday in Maiduguri, said the increase was based on recommendations during budget defense sessions involving Mministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“The increase followed a thorough review by the House Committee on Appropriation in collaboration with other standing committees. It became necessary to allocate additional funds to critical areas that were overlooked in the initial budget proposal,” he said.
He said the Ministry of Health received an additional N7 billion to improve healthcare service delivery, to equip the newly constructed Borno State Teaching Hospital and operationalise the newly built health centers in the local government areas.
According to Lawan, healthcare is a top priority of the government, hence additional funds will ensure that the teaching hospital fully equipped and operational while services will be enhance at health centers established in 2024.
He said the allocation of N5 billion to the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Youth Development would tackle poverty exacerbated by years of insecurity in the state.
“Borno State has faced severe poverty challenges due to insecurity, the increased allocation will support programmes aimed at creating sustainable livelihood and empowering citizens, especially the youths,” he said.
He said the Security Trust Fund also got additional N5 billion, to enhance its operations, while the office of Secretary to the State Government and Intergovernmental Affairs also received substantive amount of allocation.
“The Security Trust Fund supports logistics for the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), vigilantes, and other security agencies. The funds will boost efforts to ensure peace and stability by providing vehicles, fuel and other operational needs,” he added.
The speaker lauded Zulum for ensuring extensive investments in key sectors, such as construction of mega schools and establishment of specialised institutions for children from conflict affected areas of the state.
“The governor built over 30 mega schools in each senatorial district, and established schools like the Muhammadu Buhari Academy to cater for children displaced by insecurity in Borno North. Thousands of children now have access to quality education,” he said.
He said the state government sponsored over 200 students for advanced studies in China, India and other countries, to study engineering, computer science and public administration.
These initiatives, he said, reflected Zulum’s commitment to securing a brighter future for the state through education and human capital development.
While reitrating commitment of the legislators to support initiatives that promote development, Lawan urged stakeholders to work collectively for sustainable development of the state.
