News
Gov. Lalong presents budget of N133.4 billion for 2021
By Moses Mark
Plateau state Governor Barrister Simon Lalong, on Wednesday presented a budget estimate of N133.4 billion for 2021 fiscal year.
Speaking while presenting the proposed budget to members of the State House of Assembly, the Governor said in line with the Medium-term Economic Policy 2020-2022 requirements, his adminstration would continue to re- position the State economy for local sufficiency, value for money and revenue optimization.
Lalong further said that the 2021 estimates presented are intended to pursue programmes and projects with a view to achieving an inclusive and high income strategy, while securing an increasingly better life for all.
He said that the underlying assumptions in terms of macro-economic targets of the 2021 budget are premised on Oil Price of US$ 40 per barrel ,Oil Production (National) of 1.86 million barrels per day, exchange rate of N378.00 Naira to a dollar.
The Governor further said that the Budget was prepared under reality of the current economic realities, orchestrated by COVID-19 and with a reasonable degree of consistency both in policy and realism to our vision of achieving the three-pillar policy of peace, security and good governance, infrastructural development and sustainable economic rebirth.
He said his adminstration plans to continue with strategic spending on critical economic sectors especially Agriculture, Solid Mineral Development (Mining) and Tourism.
“This will enable us create opportunities for all segments of the economy and distribute the dividends of increased prosperity fairly across the society such that the indices of human development like unemployment, poverty, inequality will be addressed. “We shall continue to build the capacity and fund the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA) and other agencies to ensure that we empower our people.
Lalong said that the All Progressive Congress APC led Government will utilize its principal fiscal policy tool which is the public budget as well as other associated policies to create the enabling environment that would lead to economic transformation and growth.
“Using the One-Stop-Investment Centre, Government will focus on attracting Foreign and Domestic, investments, sourcing Local and International Donors Funds, as consummating Public Private Partnerships ”
Having carried out public consultation through town hall meetings and further engagements with relevant stakeholders within the context of the current economic realities, the Government is proposing the total budget estimate of One Hundred and Thirty-three Billion, Four Hundred and Eighty Two Million, Seven Hundred and Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Seven Naira only for the 2021 fiscal year. This has embedded in it a COVID-19 component of N11 billion naira only.
“This consists of Eighty three billion, nine hundred and fourty seven million, two hundred and four naira, one hundred and seventy three kobo only as recurrent expenditure, and Fourty nine billion, Five hundred and thirty five million, five hundred and one thousand, two hundred and eighty four naira only as capital expenditure.
“This indicates an increase of Ten Billion Six Hundred and Thirty Three Million Eight Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand Five Hundred and Forty four Naira only representing 8.6% difference above the 2020 revised budget of One Hundred and Twenty Two point Eight billion naira (N122.8) only. This increase is as a result of increase in both Recurrent and Capital Expenditure estimates.
He appealed to the people of the state to continue to support the APC led government at all times .
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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