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Borno’s N340b budget: Zulum allocates big shares to Health, Education, Works
Borno’s N340b budget: Zulum allocates big shares to Health, Education, Works
… Says he won’t leave debt for successor
… Lists 46 targets to achieve in 2024
By:Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Wednesday, presented a budget of N340 billion for the 2024 fiscal year from which Health, Education and works received major allocations.
Health was allocated N51b, Education N39b, while N45b was allocated to Works and Housing.
Tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Progress” a total of N198,293,223,000 was allocated for capital expenditure while N142,326,613,000.00 was allocated for recurrent expenditure.
The budget, Zulum noted, will be financed from the recurrent revenue of N206,803,053,000.00 which comprises FAAC revenue and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and capital receipts of N128,816,783,000.00, comprising of Aid and Grant as well as capital development funds.
According to the sectoral allocations, the Ministry of Finance got N53b allocated for its capital and recurrent expenditures including debt servicing, salary payment and gratuities to the retirees.
Other sectors like the Ministry of Agriculture got N13b, Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement got N20b, Ministry of Water Resources got N9.7b and Ministry of Information and Internal Security got N9.6b.
Various amounts were allocated to all other sectors as well.
Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, commended Governor Zulum for his achievements over the years.
He assured the Governor of the State Assembly’s resolve and commitment to pass the appropriation bill on time.
… I won’t leave debt for my successor, Governor Zulum
Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has promised to ensure that whoever is to succeed him will not be inheriting debts owed by the state government.
Zulum said he plans to clear all debts before the end of the ongoing second term.
“As we are gradually exiting from office, I plan to ensure that, insha’Allah, I’ll leave a clean slate to the incoming administration. I want to ensure that we pay all debts so that anybody who is taking over from me will have a clean slate to begin. May Almighty in his mercy, help us”, Zulum said.
… Lists 46 targets to achieve in 2024
Also as part of his budget presentation, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum took time to list out 46 deliverables he plans to achieve in the 2024 fiscal year which cuts across various sectors.
Most of the 46 deliverables are projects which are to be sited at listed locations.
The 46 deliverables also include some programmes.
Our 46 targets for 2024
- We plan to construct Eye Hospitals in Monguno and Biu
- We plan to establish Dental Hospitals in Monguno and Biu
- We plan to establish an Orthopaedic Hospital in Maiduguri.
- We plan to construct teachers and health workers quarters in Magumeri (200 numbers of 2 bedrooms)
- We plan to construct teachers and health workers’ quarters in Gubio (200 units of 2 bedrooms).
- We plan to construct Teachers Quarters in Biu (100 units)
- We plan to construct Teachers Quarters in Hawul (100 units)
- We plan to establish an oil processing mill in Gubio.
- We plan to establish School of Nursing in Monguno
- We plan to establish a school of nursing in Gwoza.
- We will establish high Islamic colleges in Baga, Gajiganna, Gajiram, Benisheik, Gwoza, and Chibok.
- Upgrading of General Hospital Molai and Infectious Hospital Ngarranam to Specialist Hospitals
- We plan to construct an additional 3 mega schools in Gwozari: Kalari, Mairi, and Uba.
- We plan to establish secondary schools in Rann, New Marte and Ngala.
- We plan to construct ICT centres in Baga, Kaga, Damboa and Hawul.
- Construction of Government Lodges in Dikwa, New Marte, Briyel and Kwaya
- Erosion Control in Bargu, Shani, Uba, Fikeyel and Gandu
- Mega-Water works in Bama, Gubio, Gajiganna, Magumeri and Damboa.
- Establishment of irrigation systems in Mafa, Dikwa, Gajibo, Logumane, Ngamboru-Wullgo and resuscitation of irrigation projects in Jafi and Damasak.
- Electrification of Gwoza, Dikwa, Damask, Nganzai, Askira, Chibok, and Damboa
- Procurement of equipment worth N10 billion to the State University Teaching Hospital and completion
- Provision of scholarships to 600 indigenous people to study nursing and midwifery courses
- Sponsorship of 100 students in various fields of study, especially Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses, languages, and training of 20 pilots
- Construction of a New Market in Maiduguri
- Support of N5 billion for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and less-privileged
- Settlement of 25% of Gratuities owed by States and Local Governments
- Training of 50% of our teachers
- Reconstruction of the International Hotel and Completion of the State Hotel
- Establishment of the Wire and Nail Industry
- Construction of an International Conference Hall
- Construction of Gunda-Miringa Road
- Construction of Mega Shopping Complexes in Ngala, Nganzai, Monguno, and Marte
- Rehabilitation of Damboa Road
- Construction of 500 Houses in Dalwa: 500 Darajamal, 500 Mainti and Aulari and Maiwa
- Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to Ala, Kaje, Sabon Gari, Dalwa, Kirawa, Jamteke, Modube, Bita, Sabon Gari Hambagda, Kekeno, Daushe, Bundir, Malum-Fatori, Gulumbali and Kareto
- Establishment of secondary schools and junior secondary schools in various locations in the state
- Closure of Muna and Madinatu IDP Camp
- Flag-off of the construction of Rann-Kala Road
- Construction of the Road from Baga to Fish Dam
- Construction of the Flyover at the West-End Roundabout
- Construction of 9 Mega Dams across the State
- Construction of One Rehabilitation Centre
- Construction of the Eastern Byepass from Auno-GubioRoad
- Construction of Dual Carriage Roads:
- from Shehu’s Roundabout, Lawan Bukar-Flour Mill, Herwa Peace, Songhai and Agip Roads.
- Monday Market-Kofa Biyu and Idrissa Khadi-Gamboru Markets Roads
- We plan to construct a dual carriageway from Polo High Court Road to Molai.
- We plan to build a modern international conference centre.
Borno’s N340b budget: Zulum allocates big shares to Health, Education, Works
Troops conduct clearance operation in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have carried out a clearance operation targeting suspected insurgent enclaves in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted on April 19 at about 1000 hrs by troops of 29 Task Force Brigade in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
The troops, mounted on Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers and gun trucks, advanced from Benisheikh through key routes including Qwayari, Karnakasari, the Camel Route and Mainok axis.
According to the sources, the operation was aimed at clearing suspected Boko Haram enclaves and denying insurgents freedom of movement within the corridor.
However, for now, no contact was made with insurgents during the operation, as the operation continues.
Military authorities said the exercise was part of sustained clearance and domination operations across the North-East theatre.
They added that the overall security situation in the region remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and operational efficiency remained high.
Troops conduct clearance operation in Borno
Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4 (Sub-Sector 41) under Operation Safe Haven have arrested four suspected criminals during a raid operation on an identified hideout in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 2115 hrs on April 18 at the NTV Mazat area in Gashish District, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected criminal elements in the locality.
During the raid, troops stormed the location and apprehended four suspects identified as Aaron Joshua, 21; Ernest David, 21; Ishaya Haruna, 19; and Kyenshak Yakubu, 28.
It was gathered that the suspects were involved in several atrocities and part of the wider network of youths causing havoc in several communities.
The suspects were reportedly taken into custody and subjected to preliminary profiling as part of ongoing investigations to determine their involvement in criminal activities within the area.
Security sources said the raid was part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks and deny them freedom of action in the general area.
Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA
Troops rescue 13 abducted Benue Links passengers, including students en route to sit for JAMB
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued 13 passengers abducted from a Benue Links commercial bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo road.
Zagazola report that the victims were among 17 passengers kidnapped on April 15 while travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo in Benue State. Three of the victims had earlier escaped from captivity, bringing the total number of those now safe to 16.
According to security sources, the rescue was achieved at about 190320A April 19 during a sustained search-and-rescue operation conducted by troops of Sub-Sector 1B, OPWS, in Ohimini Local Government Area.
The victims were located and rescued in a forested area around Okete Ward, behind the Idoma Doctors Forum building, following intensive tracking and exploitation of intelligence on the kidnappers’ movement.
Security sources further clarified that the perpetrators were local criminal elements in Benue and not Fulani bandits as initially speculated in some quarters. The attack was however, hastily attributed to external groups without proper verification.
“The operation was carried out professionally, leading to the safe recovery of 13 victims. Preliminary findings indicate that the perpetrators are criminal elements from within the state and not external armed groups as widely speculated,” the source said.
Those rescued include Hycent Oko (56), Elaiguli Joshua (25), Orili Raphael (29), Sunday Augustine (18), Emmanuel Elaicha (21), Gbile Nguyor Daniel (18), Ukacha Tersoo (18), Nyikwagh Aoridakator (22), Iornav Ngukuhan (18), Nyikwagh Benjamin (18), Buker Agatha (19), Paul Wende (29) and Akor Jessica (19).
The victims were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital in Otukpo, where they are currently receiving medical attention. Some of them sustained varying degrees of injuries during their captivity.
Further checks revealed that eight of the rescued passengers were students en route to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations at the time they were abducted, a development that underscores the disruptive impact of criminal activities on education and civil life.
The incident illustrated a growing trend of internally driven criminality, where local elements exploit familiar terrain and community networks to carry out abductions.
“This case clearly shows that not all security incidents should be viewed through ethnic or external lenses. Addressing insecurity requires acknowledging the role of local criminal networks and strengthening community cooperation with security agencies,” the source added.
Troops have since intensified operations in the general area to track down the perpetrators and rescue the remaining victim still in captivity.
Military high command reiterated their commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements across Benue and adjoining states, while urging residents to provide credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
They also reassured commuters and residents of continued efforts to secure major routes and restore confidence in public transportation across the state.
Troops rescue 13 abducted Benue Links passengers, including students en route to sit for JAMB
Troops conduct clearance operation in Borno
Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA
Troops foil kidnap attempt in Edo, arrest five suspects, recover rifle
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