RT HON JIMOH MOMOH LAWAL
SPEAKER
KOGI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
ON THE OCCASION OF BUDGET PRESENTATION BY
HE CAPT IDRIS ICHALLA WADA
THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE.
On behalf of myself and the distinguished Honorable members of this August house, I heartily welcome HE, Capt Idris Wada, the governor of kogi state and his entourage to this special plenary session for the purpose of presentation of the year 2016 appropriation bill.
Budget, as a tool for governance provides a platform for the executive and the legislature to collaborate and Co manage the economy for good governance. I must say without any prejudice or fear of contradiction that this house and the executive have enjoyed a very robust and progressive relationship, we hope to sustain the tempo in the years ahead.
No nation or state that relies on a mono economy to finance it’s budget would or can effectively advance the course of sustainable development and rapid transformation of the society. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s economy has over depended on oil and with the continuous fall in its price in the international market, the monthly revenue allocation due to the federating units from federation account has continue to dwindle.
The devastating effect of this on the economies of the state’s and local governments has made sustainable development unrealisable.
The recent cry of inability to sustain the payment of 18,000 minimum wage by Nigeria Governors forum and the fact that most states of the federation have backlog of salary arreas to pay their workers is a threat to the economy. It is a a wake up call on both the executive and the the legislature to, as a matter of urgency, evolve policies that will facilitate the exploration of the untapped potentials in the state for rapid industrialization. Also imperative is the need to urgently expand government revenue base and block leakages in the system.
The current revenue allocation formula is no longer realistic, therefore, the federal government is hereby urged to look at the recommendation of the 2014 national conference on revenue allocation formula as it affects state and local governments. This with a view to increasing fund to these federating units to enable them embark on meaningful projects and provide dividend of democracy to the people.
Your Excellency, I must commend your strong leadership commitment and passion towards building an egalitarian society. Despite the dwindling revenue from federation account, you have in the last three years impacted considerably on infrastructural development and on the welfare of the people of this state. Your laudable achievements will continue to speak for you.
I wish to assure you that this house will ensure that the 2016 budget is given a speedy passage after its scrutiny. We shall also intensify our oversight responsibility by ensuring that various standing committees of the house adequately monitor the implementation of the budget. We must block all leakages and fight corruption if the budget must achieve its intended objectives.
At this juncture, may i now on behalf of the esteemed honourable members of this August house, invite HE CAPT IDRIS ICHALLA WADA, THE executive governor of kogi state, to address this honourable house on the proposed 2016 appropriation bill.
Credit: Mallam Ahmed Suleiman (MAS)
