News

Perm Sec budget urged Ministries Departments and Agencies in Borno to retire budgetary allocations in time

Published

3 months ago

October 17, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Perm Sec budget urged Ministries Departments and Agencies in Borno to retire budgetary allocations in time

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The Permanent Secretary, Borno Ministry of Budget and Planning Dr Peter Solomon has called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) in the state to retire their budgetary allocations to assist the Ministry plan effectively for the next fiscal year.

Granting an interview during a pre-budget workshop for directors of finance, planning and budget officers Tuesday in Maiduguri, Dr Solomon stressed that the performance of the budget and the 25 year Borno development plan cannot be assessed effectively if erring parastatals refused to retire details of their funds allotted to them on a yearly basis.

While responding to a question by this reporter on the performance of the budget, the permanent secretary stated that the ministry can only assess performance “high or low” when releases of retirements get to them as at when due.

He added that performance cannot be read directly because their sister finance ministry hardly get the needed retirements as at when due. ” We have hammered on this but we don’t know what else can be done to increase their ability to retire their budgetary allocations. They just keep dragging their feet and dragging us backwards.

“Every Ministry is expected to retire at least by the first week of the following month so we expect these retirements to take on a timely basis but we are not seeing the timely reports as expected yet we are already talking of fixing a new budget. Retirements is about how far we have been able to go in the business of budgeting for the state and don’t forget we have a supplementary budget which we have been planning even before the flood came around to destabilize the entire system.” Said Solomon.

The Permanent Secretary regretted that in spite of the fact that there may be many challenges to surmount as a new ministry, the inability of ministries to retire their budgetary funding is a big challenge which they are taxed with.

Dr Solomon however noted that performance can easily be assessed by the approval of the Governor Professor Babagana Zulum and these approvals will tell you about what will be carried out on the ground. And then after the approvals, you will have to also consider also the issue of what has been released and how effectively the projects have been carried out.

“Look at those gigantic schools the Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum is building all over the place. It is obvious that contractors would not have been able to work if these monies were not released in time.Once monies are released, it is always expected that these projects will be carried out. That is what has been going on in the state because his excellency does not waste time to approve as long as he believes the project like all those bridges affected by the flood must be repaired so that commuters can enjoy using these facilities.” said the permanent secretary.

On the new monitoring and evaluation department, the permanent secretary said that since that department has been transferred to their ministry, they have been trying their best to meet up the challenges of the MDA’s since the budget ministry is a young ministry.

“It is just recently that we were told to take over the monitoring and evaluation department but with workshops like these and the town hall expected for tomorrow, we expect to give them enough training to meet up to our expectations. However,even before then, the Ministry of finance gives us feedback on releases. We are all still together as our commissioner is the one supervising the two ministries for now. But basically our business is to give conveyance and approval after the Governor has approved that project.

” Sometimes people come and make demands for funds forgetting that we cannot give out such funds without budgetary approvals. We don’t release monies like that. What we do is to authorize and then convey to the officer for release in the finance ministry where clients will go and receive accordingly.” Said the perm secretary.

Perm Sec budget urged Ministries Departments and Agencies in Borno to retire budgetary allocations in time

News

MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group

Published

8 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group

CELEBRATING PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU

The President/Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, has been announced “MAN OF THE YEAR” by THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE News Board of Editors.

The prestigious recognition reaffirmed Mr. President’s exemplary leadership, visionary thinking, and unwavering commitment to transforming the country amid mounting economic and security challenges.

The awards organisers also noted that the President has marched on with courage and determination to change Nigeria for the better, and proven to be a leader who is driven more by convictions and taken decisions which are in the best interest of the nation.

To commemorate this milestone, THISDAY is unveiling a Special Edition on Monday, January 27, 2025, to afford the President’s
aides, friends, well-wishers, and associates the opportunity to share in the joy and pride that the award brings to Mr. President through placement of Congratulatory/Goodwill messages to honour the awardee among other award recipients.

Our advert rates are as follows:

COLOUR
(a). Full page: N1,612,500.
(b). Half Page : N1,074,462.
BLACK & WHITE:
(a). Full page: N1,431,093.75
(b). Half Page: N1,048,125.

Please note that ALL RATES ARE SUBJECT TO 7.5% VAT

Adverts placements are to be PRE-PAID.
Advert materials are to reach us two days to the date of publication.
Payment should be made in cheque, bank draft, or e-transfer in favour of THISDAY NEWSPAPERS.

For further enquiries or advert booking, kindly contact:

Bawo Golde
Advert Manager
08033015988

MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group

News

Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident

Published

8 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident

By: Michael Mike

Nigerian government has commiserated with the government and people of Türkiye over the fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort that resulted in the death of 66 persons injured over 50 others.

The condolence message was contained in a statement signed by the acting spokesperson of the federal ministry of foreign affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

The statement read: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to express deep condolence to the Government and People of the Republic of Turkiye over the unfortunate fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort.

“The fire, which claimed the lives of 66 persons and injured over 50 others in Bolu Province in Northwestern Turkiye, was reported to have started in the early hours of Tuesday 21st January 2025.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria sympathizes with the Government of the Republic of Turkiye and the families of the victims of the fire incident, and also wishes a speedy recovery of the injured.”

Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident

News

Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank

Published

10 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank

By: Mamman Mohammed

The Islamic Development Bank has expressed satisfaction with the preparedness of Yobe state government to partner the bank for an agricultural project.

Mr. Javed khan, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the Bank stated this at a courtesy call on Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, at the Government House, Damaturu.

Khan said the commitment of Yobe state government to meeting its obligations is quite impressive and encouraging.

Khan who led a team from the bank on assessment tour of the state to see for itself the documents developed and the preparations on ground for the project, said the team was convinced with government’s committment to the project.

“We were initially discouraged not to come to Yobe state citing insecurity but, we insisted on coming and are impressed with the peace and security, and the government’s commitment to the project.

“We are working towards a target in the next three months for the state to obtain approval from the bank for the project.

“The working synergy between our team and your team suggests that we will achieve our target within the stipulated time frame” Khan said.

Responding, Governor Buni commended the Bank for not listening to the enemies of progress of the state.

“l am glad you did not listen to them, some of whom have never been anywhere close to Yobe state but giving stories about what they don’t know.

“You are now here and you have seen things for yourselves and can tell the story better. We are ready for this partnership using agriculture to drive the economy of our state and the people.

“All the 17 local government areas in the state are now accessible and the people can access their farms and make this proposed project successful” Buni said.

The Governor explained the importance of agriculture to the people, adding “this project would guarantee food security and economic prosperity in our post insurgency recovery programme.

“The resilience exhibited by our people in embracing agriculture being their major preoccupation to rebuild their lives after the protracted insecurity is very encouraging and need to be supported” he said.

The Governor re-ephasized the readiness of his administration to partner the bank to make agricultural development in the state a huge success story.

Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank