By Adeniyi Adedeji, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Tuesday presented a 2021 appropriation estimate of N123,091,307,468.00 (N123.09 billion), which is 7.3 per cent bigger that the 2020 revised budget, to the Kwara State House of Assembly for consideration.
Recall that the governor had before the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic presented an estimated appropriation of N162 billion to the House in December 2018, before the effects of coronavirus necessitated its revision and trimming down, to N114 billion.
Governor AbdulRazaq said that the lockdowns that followed the pandemic caused disruptions to revenue generation, drop in the global price of crude oil and its huge impacts on revenue inflows which did not help the fiscal activities of in governance.
He, however, said that his administration succeeded in rolling out infrastructural projects and interventions that aligned with the theme of the 2020 budget
He said, “The 2021 fiscal plan is built on the modest successes of the outgoing year, with strategic emphasis on reforms and inclusive growth.
“However, its fundamentals are dictated by the global economic realities, low revenue projections, and a need to prioritise basic needs of the people as we recover from the devastating effects of Corona Virus.
“Our priorities in the new fiscal year would include payment of the new minimum wage, cash-backed promotion for workers, who passed the recent examination, tech-driven reforms in the education sector through our Kwara-learn initiative, and social security for the vulnerable.
“We plan to establish cottage industries, rehabilitation of sporting facilities, and investments in the ideas of our youths through ‘Kwapreneur’.”
Similarly, AbdulRazaq said, “Ongoing and new infrastructural projects such as the Innovation Hub, Visual Arts Centre, courtrooms and school rehabilitation, and upgrading of health facilities will also be funded.
“Agriculture remains top priority as part of our strategies for food security. Appreciable sums have been allocated to irrigation system, and purchase of fertilisers and farm implements.”
Pointing out that “at least 10,000 rural women are to benefit from the Noiler programme, which we are keying into,” Governor AbdulRazaq concluded that his government’s “commitment to prudent management of public resources remains unshaken. We will also at all time prioritise the welfare of the people, who have entrusted us with their mandate, while every segment of our society is accorded their right.”
