TheCable

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, has presented the state’s 2024 budget proposal of N458.2 billion to the house of assembly.

Titled “budget of rural transformation for inclusive development”, the proposal comprises N318.8 billion capital expenditure and N139.4 recurrent expenditure.

While presenting the budget on Monday,  Sani said the budget was prepared in cognizance of the current economic realities in the country.

He said it is aimed at inclusive development through the provision of critical infrastructure, especially in rural communities as well as delivering on social protection and human capital development.

The governor added that education, health and the economic sector got the highest allocations in the budget.

“We proposed to spend N115.4 billion (25.19%) on education, N71. 6 billion (15.63%) on health, while N93.5 billion (20.42%) is allocated to the economic sector, including agriculture, public works and infrastructure, and housing,” he said.

Sani said he assumed office at a most “difficult and challenging” time, adding that, “our people have been struggling to stay afloat in these harsh economic climate”.

He said his government has been unrelenting in fashioning and implementing policies, programmes and projects to bring succour to the poor and the vulnerable.

“We are prioritizing women and youth empowerment. Our administration places high premium on human capital development. Consequently, education and health sectors are receiving priority attention,” he said.

“We are determined to revitalize the agricultural sector in order to create jobs for our teeming youth population and ensure food security in our state.

“To ensure a safe environment for farming and business activities, we have made safety and security our topmost priority.

“Our security agencies have made remarkable progress in securing our state despite challenges.”