By Aliyu M. Aliyu
Jigawa state commissioner of finance, Mr. Babangida Umar Gantsa has shaded more light on their decision behind seeking for approval of supplementary budget to the tune of N21.7bn from the state assembly.
Speaking to newsmen in Dutse, Babangida Umar Gantsa said, the state considered it needed to pursue the approval from the legislative arm for a supplementary budget to fund some critical projects contained in the 2021 budget.
According to him, the supplementary budget is for the state to achieve its desire goals in ensuring that all key socio-economic development projects and programs are fully funded and completed by the beginning of 2023 fiscal year without having bequeath unnecessary huge contractual commitments and liabilities.
The commissioner explained that, the 2021 budget was proposed on 11.9% inflation rate and now it is 17.9%, while the price of crude oil at that time was $40 per barrel but now it is been sold at $69.
His words:-“In a simple term, the cost of project has been increased and also the expected consolidated revenue has equally increased, so it is indispensable to have supplementary for the full implementation of 2021 state appropriation bill”.
Also speaking, the Chairman House Committee on constituency projects, Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin stated that, the executive submitted N18.99 billion as proposed supplementary budget but the house increase it to N21.7 billion.
Said he:-“We increased the supplementary budget from the initial proposal sent by the executive to ensure adequate funding for constituency projects and other critical sectors as we noticed some deficit on the sectors”.
Hon. Dangyatin noted that the supplementary budget approved by the house will be used to fund projects in Education, Health, Electrification and Roads projects as contained in the letter sent to the house by the executive.