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Perm Sec budget urged Ministries Departments and Agencies in Borno to retire budgetary allocations in time
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
NAF Airstrikes killed Scores of Bandits, as troops recover large numbers of rustled cows in Zamfara
NAF Airstrikes killed Scores of Bandits, as troops recover large numbers of rustled cows in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have successfully neutralized scores of bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, Zagazola report.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the successful operation was as a result of a coordinated intelligence which revealed that a large number of bandits suspected to be relatives of notorious bandit leader Ado Aleiro, along with other unidentified individuals, left Zamfara State/Tsafe LGA to rustle cattle from nearby communities.
The sources said that the bandits succeeded in stealing several livestock and were attempting to escape when they encountered resistance from local the security forces.
The troops tracked the rustlers and waited until they reached a mountainous area before surrounding them. Upon confirming their location, they alerted the Nigerian Air Force, which swiftly deployed air assets to engage the fleeing bandits.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that several bandits were eliminated in the operation, though he said that the exact number is yet to be determined. The second sources said that at least 23 bandits were killed as well as several others injured
The sources said that the troops also recovered a large number of rustled cattle.
This operation is part of ongoing efforts by the military to dismantle terrorist strongholds and curb cattle rustling, a key source of funding for bandit groups operating in Zamfara and neighboring states.
NAF Airstrikes killed Scores of Bandits, as troops recover large numbers of rustled cows in Zamfara
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
By: Our Reporter
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, has inaugurated 39 mini-green Maria vehicles to ensure the safe transportation of inmates to courts during trials.
In a statement on X, the ministry said the commissioning took place at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The minister also unveiled four armoured security guard booths to protect correctional facilities from external aggression by non-state actors.
“The Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, today inaugurated four armored security guard booths at the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters to enhance the defense of correctional facilities against external threats,” the statement reads.
“He also unveiled 39 mini-green Maria vehicles designed to ensure the secure transportation of inmates to court during trials. These efforts reflect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the safety and welfare of officers and inmates.
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
By: Mamman Mohammed
Since the news about the signing of the Damaturu fly over contract filtered the air, it attracted accolades in many quarters and of course, reservations in some quarters. This is very normal and usual with every human endeavour.
It is pertinent to note that His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, while presenting the 2025 budget to the state House of Assembly, emphatically said “The widespread of road projects is intended to give a facelift and accessibility to our communities. Government is committed to the completion of the seventeen ongoing road projects, and to embark on eleven new ones. The completion of the township roads and drainages in five Local Government Areas is very dear to the government. I am also pleased to inform you that work would soon commence for the construction of the Damaturu flyover. We would also commence work on the Damaturu Green Economic City”.
Similarly, the budget allocated funds to other sectors to run simultaneously to improve the lives of the people without obstructing the execution of other projects and programmes in other sectors.
Importantly, the budget went through open process of careful and critical scrutiny, with Civil Society Organizations, individuals and groups in attendance.
Throughout the public sitting, none of the interest groups and individuals identified any project including the Damaturu flyover road as a misplacement of priority that would be at the expense of another, and as they may say, it is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
There is no doubt that the Damaturu flyover project will not only check the numerous congestion and accidents in the metropolis but, also beautify Damaturu, from a glorified local government headquarters to a beffiting state capital that is comparable to its peers, and a pride of every Yobean.
This takes us to the Muhammadu Buhari lnternational Cargo Airport as a reference point. When Gov. Buni took over the leadership of the state in 2019, there was an argument for and against the completion of the airport.
Many people described it as a wasteful project while others urged the new administration to ensure its completion. And when Gov. Buni finally announced the completion of the airport which was still at skeletal stage, it put such arguments to halt.
Gov. Buni’s argument was that, abandoning the project at that level would be a monumental loss to the state that would only attract untold inflation whenever any administration decides to complete the airport. Thanks to the wise decision, and the deep futuristic thinking by Governor Buni.
Today, the argument over the completion of the airport is now history. It is
completed and commissioned. It remains
one of the iconic legacy projects, with a very prosperous future to the state.
Already, some international investors have indicated interest in direct and indirect investments in the state. The Qatari business community and most recently, the Moroccan Investment, lmport and Export Development Agency, said the airport is a window to a fruitful economic partnership that would generate employment and wealth creation.
The same criticisms greeted the Kano, Maiduguri, Yola, Kaduna and Jalingo flyovers.
Surprisingly, some characters who lauded the flyovers elsewhere have suddenly changed their positions with the Damaturu flyover.
As a known fact, there may be no single government project or programme that would generate100% support from the public, as everyone may have his opinion for or against such project.
We should always see such projects positively and support government in its development strides to make Damaturu a state capital that is in tune with the changing times.
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
NAF Airstrikes killed Scores of Bandits, as troops recover large numbers of rustled cows in Zamfara
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
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