Kefas presents over N429.8bn as 2025 Budget estimate before Taraba lawmakers
OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS, JALINGO.
The Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas Monday presented a budget estimate of about Four hundred and Twenty Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety Eight Million, Nine hundred and sixty eight thousand, Four hundred and two Naira, thirty one kobo (N429,898,968,402.31k) only to the State House of Assembly as the 2025 Appropriation bill.
Gov Kefas laying the 2025 Budget before the Lawmakers
Kefas, who made the presentation at the hallowed Chambers of the State Assembly in Jalingo, added that his priority would be Education, job creation, infrastructure and agriculture.
The 2025 appropriation bill tagged, “Budget of Transformation”, the Governor disclosed that it encompasses the vision of the moving forward agenda of his administration which he added would also reposition the State to an enviable hight.
“My vision to build a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable state with the title, budget of transformation is ambitious and achievable”, he said.
The Governor further stated that the 2025 budget estimate which he laid at the floor of the House had the capital expenditure as N266.12 billion, representing 61.5% of the total amount, while N163.78 billion, representing 38.1% of the estimate, was set aside as recurrent expenditure.
“The recurrent expenditure includes personnel costs and overhead costs, while capital expenditure relates to the cost of infrastructures and other developmental projects”,
“The budget is anchored on strategic investment and is tailored to drive growth and enhance the quality of life of the people”,
“This 2025 budget estimate was carefully prepared to consolidate the gains of the 2024 budget with strategic priority to education, job creation, infrastructures, agriculture, security, and tourism, among others, and the state Master Development Plan will be the working document of the state in 2025.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. (Hon) John Kizito Bonzena, applauded the leadership styles of Governor Agbu Kefas, saying he has changed the narratives of the State by reconstructing and remodeling State owned projects.
Rt Hon John Kizito Bonzena
Bonzena, who represents Zing constituency while pledging to fast-track the passage of the bill, warned the commissioners of various Ministries against absenting themselves from budget defence.
Answering questions from Journalists shortly, the chairman House of Assembly Committee on Information, Hon. Nelson C. Len described the performance of the 2024 budget as fair.
The lawmaker, who represents Nguroje constituency of Sardauna LGA (Mambilla Plateau) of the State said Governor met uncompleted projects on assumption of office and decided to complete them.
