Written by Henry Agbu
The Governor of Taraba State Dr. Agbu Kefas on Friday, the 15th of December 2023 laid on the floor of the Taraba State House of Assembly, the 2024 appropriation bill tagged; Budget of Moving Forward. The budget totalling over Three Hundred and Eleven billion naira.
This is the very first time in the history of Taraba State that a budget has reached such an amount with sectoral breakdown of as follows.Education sector received forty-three Billion, Two hundred and Eight million, Two hundred and seventy-eight thousand, eight hundred and forty-nine Naria, twenty-nine kobo.Health sector got Thirty-three Billion, fifty-four million, six hundred and eighty-six thousand, eight hundred and forty-eight Naira four kobo.Works and Infrastructure development received twenty-four Billion, Eight hundred and four million two hundred and thirty-two thousand, two hundred and fifty-three Naira seventeen kobo and Agriculture and food security got Eighteen billion, Eight hundred and fifty-three million, eight hundred and fifty-two thousand, eighty-one naira, forty-five kobo.
Others are,Energy sector has Twenty billion, one hundred and Twenty-eight million, six hundred and eighty-four Naria, eighty-seven Kobo.Environment received sixteen billion three hundred and two thousand, one hundred and fifty-six Naira.Security has Eight Billion, nine hundred and fifteen million, four hundred and thirty-nine thousand, four hundred and sixty Naria, fifty-nine kobo.Ministry of Finance has Thirty-four hundred and ninety-eight hundred, thirty-one naira, sixty-five kobo.Commerce, Trade, and Industry was allocated Eight Billion, four hundred sixty-nine million, Eight hundred and twenty-eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty Naira, eighty Kobo.Women Affairs and Child Development has three Billion, Two hundred and ninety million, four hundred and fifty-seven thousand, one hundred and eighty-six Naira, thirty-five kobo
In addition Ministry of Youth and Sports Development received Two Billion, Six hundred and forty-one million, Two hundred and eighty-eight thousand seven hundred and sixty-two Naira fifty Kobo.Governance was given sixty-five Billion, Five hundred and twenty-four million, Eighty-eight thousand, six hundred and Twenty-six Naira seventy-two Kobo.
Cooperative and poverty received Two Billion, Three Hundred and ninety-seven million, four hundred and forty-two thousand, five hundred and fifty Naira, ninety-six kobo.Waste management on the other hand got Two Billion, nine hundred and sixty-four million, nine hundred and four thousand, nine hundred and sixty-four Naira.
Water and Aquatic affairs has seven Billion, Six hundred and seventy-five million, seven hundred and nine four thousand, Two hundred and ninety-three Naria, fifty-nine kobo.
Transport Development has five billion, four hundred and thirty-four million, eight hundred thirty-seven thousand, eight hundred and thirty-three Naira, fifteen Kobo.
According to the 2024 appropriation bill, the education sector has the highest sectoral allocation, this is a clear commitment to the actualization of the free education policy of Governor Agbu Kefas. Over 199 billion representing 64 point one percent of the budget is allocated for capital expenditure while over 111 billion representing 35 point nine percent is allocated for recurrent expenditures.
The Governor said the 2024 budget of the state strives to advance Taraba’s socio-economic development agenda through strategic investment in education, infrastructure, health care, Agriculture, security, and Governance.
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The Governor added that the budget is not just a financial document but a blueprint for the future of Taraba. It reflects the collective vision for a state that is economically vibrant, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.
Five percent of the total 2024 budget has been allocated to a special initiative, “The Greening Taraba project, The project is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of Taraba State, enhancing the ecological balance, and mitigating the impact of climate change. The project will focus on initiatives such as afforestation, reforestation, and environmental conservation. The project will also involve partnerships with local communities, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that the state rebuilds towards a Greener, cleaner, and more sustainable Taraba State for generations to come.
The budget is no doubt, the dawn of a new era as the Governor has demonstrated in the period he has been in power, with various achievements. Taraba State with Doctor Agbu Kefas is on the path to the promised land.
