Education, Reconstruction get lion shares in Borno’s N267bn 2022 budget

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno on Tuesday presented 2022 budget of N267 with the education sector getting the largest share of N38 billion representing 20.22% of the budget size.

In the budget, Zulum set aside N23.8 billion for reconstruction of communities destroyed by insurgents, as well as the rehabilitation and resettlement of victims.

Addressing lawmakers at the State Assembly in Maiduguri, Zulum announced a total of N267,921,484,000 comprising N172,535,634,000 for capital expenditure, and N95,385,850,000 for recurrent expenditure.

Titled the budget of “Hope for Post-Conflict Stability”, Zulum said the budget aims to fast track ongoing reconstruction of destroyed communities for safe and dignified resettlement of IDPs, as well as the provision of livelihood and social support to citizens.

The budget also aims to fund completion of all ongoing capital projects.

The governor explained that the budget will be financed from anticipated recurrent revenue of N113,839,901,000 made of FAAC allocation and increased IGR, and capital receipts of N154,081,583,000 made up of loans and grants.

He announced many plans in the education sector which include the establishment of new technical schools, reconstruction and reopening of some schools destroyed by insurgents, and the establishment of what he called “Centres of Excellence” which will involve identifying two existing secondary schools in each of Borno’s three Senatorial zones and transforming the six schools to become of international standards.

Zulum set aside N23.8 billion for reconstruction of communities destroyed by insurgents.

He explained plans for construction of resettlement houses in Abadam, Guzamala, Kukawa, Kwaya Kusar, Dikwa, Malamfatori, Logumane, Gajibo, Gudumbali, Dalwa, Darajamal, Ngurosoye, Kirawa, Maiwa, Ashigasha among others.

For other sectoral allocations, Health and Human services got N24.2 billion, Ministry of Finance received N30.4 billion to sustain prompt payment of salaries and gratuities, Housing and Energy was allocated N8.7 billion for completion of a housing estate and other projects.

Zulum also announced allocation of N22.9 billion to Works, for the construction of a number of roads he listed and gave N10.4 billion to Agriculture and Natural Resources for series of farming programmes, animal and fisheries development.

The sum of N4.4 billion was allocated for Transport, while various amounts to other sectors including security operations through the Security Trust Fund and the Governor’s Office which normally undertakes major interventions on sensitive security matters.

Meanwhile, in the budget proposed by Governor Zulum, 64% of the entire budget which is N172.5 billion out of N267.9 billion, was allocated for capital projects mostly construction of infrastructure, houses, schools and others.