BOSG Urges Accounting Officers On Strict Compliance To 2024 Budget

BOSG urges accounting officers on strict compliance to 2024 budget

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri.

The Borno State government has urged all accounting officers and Director finance in the state to operate within the funds approved in the 2024 budget as assented to by Governor Babagana Zulum.

The state commissioner for Budget and Planning, Professor Mustapha Malumbe who made the call on Monday at a press briefing with journalists on 2024 approved budget held at the international conference hall of Usman Musa state secretariat Maiduguri said,”this budget is not just about numbers; it embodies a vision for a more prosperous, secure, and equitable future for all. Consolidation underscores Government’s commitment to building upon the successes of the past year,” .

The Commissioner said “the success or otherwise of this policy will largely depend on each and every one of us. I therefore, crave your indulgence to operate strictly within the bounds of the budget so as to achieve the set objectives”

He said the Borno State government has targeted N27.7 billion Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) with a budget performance of between 80 and 90 percent in 2024 fiscal year, stressing that the improved budget implementation, was attributed to statutory allocation revenue from the Federal Government and payments of ground rents that raised IGR by 25 per cent.

“This budget is not just about numbers; it embodies a vision for a more prosperous, secure, and equitable future for all. Consolidation underscores Government’s commitment to building upon the successes of the past year,” Malumbe said.

He also advised the accounting and finance officers to note that the budget document is a set of policy guide which will enable MDAs operate during the 2024 fiscal year, pointing out  that,  no request for funds not funded in the budget will be entertained.”

Malumbe said the 2024 Budget is saddled with Government’s commitment in Building on the foundation laid in the previous years; this year’s budget tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Progress marks a significant step forward in the shared journey towards achieving long-term goals.”

The commissioner further explained that the State Government will continue to strengthen fiscal discipline, invest in key infrastructure projects, and implement reforms that create a more enabling environment for businesses and individuals to thrive..

” This budget also embodies progress. Government will be making strategic investments in areas critical for sustained growth and development, such as Education, Healthcare, Works and Reconstruction to also champion initiatives that empower vulnerable communities, return of IDPs and bridge the gap between opportunity and disadvantage,” he added.

The expenditure proposals for the fiscal year 2024, aims to strengthen the accomplishments achieved so far and further ensure the delivery of democratic dividends, especially in the realms of socio-economic and political development of the State,” the commissioner, said.

He further explained also that the 2024 Approved Budget was also inline with the ‘State Government’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework’ (MTEF 2024 – 2026) approved by the Borno State House of Assembly, the ‘Strategic Transformation Initiative’ (STI) for 2024 and 25-year State Development Plan in an effort of building Borno Back and Better.

He also emphasized on  the key objectives and priorities outlined in the MTEF for the current budget which include amongst others the  complete return and resettlement of all IDPs to their ancestral homes, completion of all on-going projects in the State.

He noted that the aim was  to ensure food security and also mitigate some of the negative impacts of climate change, thus providing livelihoods for our rural population and to reduce over-dependence on Federal transfers through improved independent revenue generation achievable via a technological-driven and independent Board of Internal Revenue;

Professor Mustapha Babagana revealed that  this will involve implementation of programmes that generate employment and create wealth and ensure adequate security while comparing the  2023 budget size  which was N235,331,950,000.00 and  made up of capital expenditures, based on the fiscal forecast and guidelines provided in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF 2023 – 2025) and aligned to the Budget Estimates.

He said the overall 2023 Budget Performance stood at 74.4% and during the 2024 fiscal year government is going to establishment specialized hospitals and schools of Nursing in the three senatorial district of the state. Construction of ICT centers, Government Lodges, teachers and health workers quarters. Procurement of equipment to the State University Teaching Hospital and completion, provision of scholarships to indigenous people to study nursing and midwifery courses and sponsor students in various fields of study, especially Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses, languages, and training of pilots

He said the 2023 budget is not without challenges, however because of the doggedness of His Excellency and the resilience of the people there was a huge success in implementation of the budget such as  challenges security situation of ongoing Boko Haram .insurgency,, economic recovery and Internally displaced persons (IDPs): The large number of IDPs in the state informed additional  resources  require to alddress the challenges among others