Saraki proposes N52bn budget for 2008

Yekini Jimoh, Ilorin - 30.11.2007

KWARA State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday presented a budget proposal of N52, 451,690,991 to the House of Assembly for 2008.

Dr. Saraki, while presenting the budget proposal, said N29, 306,246,685 was estimated for the capital expenditure, N10, 226,164,136 for the economic sector, followed by the regional development, which had N7, 722,388,482, representing 26.5 per cent of the budget estimate.

According to him, social sector and general administration had an estimate of N6, 395,084,158 and N4, 771,609,409 respectively. The proposal represents an increase of 43.8 per cent over the 2007 budget.

Saraki noted that the fiscal policy of the outgoing year was symbolic of the achievement of the past and the future the government was determined to secure for the people.

He said the focus of the year was to expand economic opportunities for the people in various sectors, adding that the agenda of his administration was to lead the country’s agricultural revolution drive and establish a reputation for the state as an agro-based economy.

This, he said, had improved the capacity of local farmers. Governor Saraki said the 2008 budget was intended to consolidate on the achievements of 2007 and break new grounds.

To this end, he said his administration would be expending about N2 billion on the procurement of tractors, fertiliser, livestock, cassava processing programmes and bee farming programmes across the three senatorial districts of the state.