State News

BUDGET OF INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT

GOVERNMENT OF NASARAWA STATE

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, ENGR. ABDULLAHI A. SULE, GOVERNOR OF NASARAWA STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2020 FISCAL APPROPRIATION BILL TO THE NASARAWA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, LAFIA: WEDNESDAY, 4TH DECEMBER, 2019.

The Right Honourable Speaker;

  1. Principal Officers and Honourable Members of Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

When I took over the reigns of leadership as the 4th Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, I made a solemn commitment to discharge the responsibilities bestowed on my shoulders by the divine grace of the Almighty Allah and the popular mandate of the good people of Nasarawa State, with due diligence, commitment and sacrifice towards the overall development of our dear State. In doing so, we have resolved to be guided by the imperatives of transparency, accountability and prudent management of our common wealth to the benefit of all.

  1. It is, therefore, with a sense of fulfillment that I stand before you, the Honourable Members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to present the 2020 Appropriation Bill in compliance with section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). I consider this unique opportunity as a privilege to perform this constitutional duty before this hallowed chamber for the first time as the Executive Governor of our dear State.
  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, let me state from the onset that the implementation of the Budget will be based on our peculiarity as a State, putting into consideration the policy documents which this Administration has prepared, especially its economic blueprint enshrined in the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS), Nasarawa Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU), Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) and the Budget Policy Statement 2020-2022 which culminates into the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The Policy Plans provide a clear road map of policy actions and direction towards launching the economy of the State on the path of steady growth, progress and development, as well as the prosperity of our people.
  1. The budget shall set a pace for the realization of our developmental objectives based on the yearnings and aspirations of our people, juxtaposed by the constitutional obligation. This is in furtherance of our determination to exceed all expectations in the governance of our dear State, aimed at uplifting the living standard of our people and transform the State into a viable socio-economic and prosperous entity.
  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, it would be recalled that since our assumption of office, this Administration has made some modest efforts towards the development of our dear State.
  1. You are aware that in our determination to revitalize and overhaul the State Public Service, aimed at avoiding operational conflicts, we streamlined Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, realizing the significance of strengthening Government machinery for effective and efficient service delivery. This will no doubt, cut cost and ensure Government’s effectiveness.
  1. This Administration has also made significant landmarks achievements in various sectors of the State. I am happy to state that we embarked on a State wide medical outreach for the treatment of Glaucoma and Cataract surgery among other illnesses. This exercise is still ongoing considering the unprecedented number of the citizens of Nasarawa State suffering from this ailment. Similarly, this Administration is committed to the continuous expansion of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia to facilitate the seamless transition to a Teaching Hospital. With the support provided by Government, the additional structures provided in the hospital have been put to use. Similarly, the Specialized Hospitals in Akwanga and Nasarawa have been handed over to the Hospitals Management Board. The hospitals are now fully operational.
  1. In the same vein, the newly constructed School of Nursing and Midwifery has been furnished and fully equipped. Following certification by the Nursing Council, the School of Nursing and Midwifery have fully moved to the new site and resumed full academic activities.
  2. In the area of education, we have attracted the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to Nasarawa State through the establishment of a Technology Innovation Hub and provided equipment worth over N200 Million. The equipments have been installed at the JAMB Centre provided by the Government.
  1. This Administration has also embarked on the constructions of classroom blocks in Angwan Jarme, Mahanga and Mararaban Gongon in Kokona, Awe and Wamba Local Government Areas respectively in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This gesture is being extended to other schools that are still lacking basic infrastructures for effective teaching and learning. Arrangements have been concluded for the mass construction and rehabilitation of Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in the State under the auspices of the State Universal Basic Education Board’s Projects. Already, the Board has closed the bids for the award of contract to qualified contractors which will signal the commencement of the projects. Similarly, I am happy to inform you that we have formalized the appointments of the two thousand, two hundred and fifty (2,250) engaged teachers. The Teachers Service Commission has already conducted the screening and Appointment Letters will soon be issued to them.
  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, in our determination to provide basic infrastructure for enhanced socio-economic activities in the State, we have commenced the completion of the on-going construction of Shinge-Ricemill-Kilema road. The design for the construction of other roads within the Lafia metropolis and some Inter-Local Government roads have been completed and work on the projects will soon commence to ensure all-round development of the State.
  1. Similarly, the construction of 15.5km Asphalt Sisinbaki-Kwarra road project in Wamba Local Government Area was flagged-off considering the huge potentials that abound in the area.
  1. In our commitment to open our rural areas for enhanced economic activities, I also flagged-off the construction of three (3) major critical rural roads in the State. The roads are Agwade-Shupe-Atabula-Obi road, Shabu-Doka-Arugba-Lakio, Kanje-Abuni and Kagbu A-Atsoko-Kagbu Wana roads. In a related development, Government has procured transformers and distributed them to various communities to support our rural electrification drive, in addition to the provision of 2km Solar Power Street Light Project in all the thirteen (13) Local Government Areas of the State and in strategic locations in Lafia metropolis.
  1. Furthermore, this Administration also made some strides in the agricultural sector. In this regard, we have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dangote Group, as well as Azman Rice Mills and Farms Ltd. This is with a view to open vistas of opportunities as well as wealth creation through agriculture. Government has also concluded arrangements in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to access credit facilities in the sum of N5 Billion to enable our youth set-up small scale agricultural and trading enterprises. Disbursement to benefiting agricultural cooperatives will soon commence.
  1. To fulfill our covenant with the people of the State, we are determined to enhance agricultural development, as well as to provide social amenities for the generality of our people in the State. Our commitment in this direction is aimed at achieving the twin objectives of encouraging large scale mechanized farming to achieve economic diversification, on the one hand, and the gainful employment of our teeming youths into agricultural and related value chain activities as a necessary mechanism for reducing youth restiveness in the society.
  1. As you are all aware, security is the bedrock for harmonious co-existence and socio-economic development of the society. Let me state that our development partners can only key into the State’s development agenda in an atmosphere of peace and order. We shall continue to strive to sustain the existing stability for the desired progress of our dear State.
  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, I am happy to inform you that we have adopted a Performance Based Budgeting System to ensure adaptation to the Sustainable Development Goals’ targets into the development priorities of the State. This will enable the State to integrate the needs of the people from a globally accepted institutional framework and provide solutions that are measurable.
  1. At this juncture, the Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, it is my honour to present to you the Budget proposal for the 2020 fiscal year and its assumptions for your consideration.

 

Review of the Year 2019 Budget

  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, let me state that in 2019 a total Budget of Eighty-six Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-two Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty-five Naira (86,642,599,225) only was laid before this Honourable House.
  1. The submission was deliberated upon by the Honourable Members and subsequently passed a total budget of Ninety Billion, One Hundred and Seventy Million, Two Hundred and Forty-six Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty-four Naira (90,170,246,464)
  1. Out of the approved 2019 budget, Recurrent Expenditure gulped the sum of Fifty-eight Billion, Ninety-nine Million, Two Hundred and Fifty-two Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventeen Naira (N58,099,252,417) only, while the sum of Thirty-two Billion, Seventy Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-four Thousand and Forty-six Naira  (32,070,994,046) only was devoted to Capital Expenditure.

Highlights of Year 2019 Budget

  1. The 2019 Fiscal Year (FY) budget is a transition period and mainly focused on the following areas:
    • Completion of ongoing projects;
    • Improvement in the Internal Revenue Generation (IGR);
    • Provision of Social Services;
    • Rural roads network;
    • Youth empowerment and capacity building;
    • Enhanced monitoring and control system through due process mechanism;
    • Creation of enabling environment for Public-Private Partnership (PPP);
    • Continued collaboration with Development Partners;
    • Environmental sustainability & recreation.

Performance of the 2019 Budget 

  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, as at September 2019, only the sum of Fifty-six Billion, Five Hundred and Three Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-four Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy-four Naira (N56,503,844,674) only was realized out of the expected estimate of the sum of Eighty-three Billion, Five Hundred and Ninety-two Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-five Naira (83,592,840,435) only, representing 67.59% of the total expected revenue for the year.
  1. From the total receipts during the period under review, actual Recurrent Expenditure stands at Thirty-four Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty-five Million, Three Hundred and Eleven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-two Naira (N34,935,311,852) only.
  1. On the other hand, Seventeen Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-five Million, One Hundred and Twenty-six Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-three Naira, Forty-one Kobo (N17,995,126,423.41) only was used for Capital Expenditure.

Fiscal Risk and State Government Financial Trend in 2019  

  1. Government made concerted effort during the current financial year to put in place measures to reduce recurrent spending to a reasonable level, while increasing our investment on the capital side. However, it is worthy of note that our recurrent expenditure has continued to grow and overwhelm capital expenditure.
  1. This situation is not unconnected with the huge wage bill and pension of retired Civil Servants paid by Government, as well as the running cost of Government offices that the State had to content with during the period under review. In spite of this, Government has remained consistent on the payment of liabilities and other obligations.

The 2020 Fiscal Appropriation  

  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, this Administration will continue to maintain the existing accounting standard known as International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS), which is consistent with the international financial reporting and best practices. As you are aware, this accounting system improves accountability, transparency and prudence in Government spending.
  1. The 2020 appropriation, therefore, hopes to consolidate the achievement of our development objectives in the following areas:
  • Completion of all ongoing projects;
  • Improvement of the Internal Revenue Generation (IGR);
  • Provision of social services;
  • Value re-orientation;
  • Rural feeder roads development;
  • Youth Empowerment and Capacity building;
  • Design policies and programmes that will enable better environment for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to thrive;
  • Continued collaboration with Development Partners;
  • Creation of enabling environment for Labour-Government harmonious relationship.
  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, in consonance with the reality of our current financial position, Government intends to be strict in expenditure control to ensure efficiency in spending and accountability in the 2020. This fiscal framework is intended to ensure effective monitoring of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) through a mechanism known as the Efficiency Unit, put in place to ensure strict compliance to budgetary provision and fiscal control.

Parameters and Basic Assumptions of the 2020 Budget 

  1. In drawing up the 2020 budget, Government is guided by the persistent inconsistency in the Statutory Revenue Allocation (SRA) from the Federation Account and the trend in the global capital market. Our assumptions are essentially dependent on the Federal Government Fiscal Strategy Paper since the SRA is the major source of revenue to the State. The following, therefore, are our assumptions:
  • There is an expected improvement in IGR, taking into consideration additional stringent measures put in place by Government to ensure that all revenue collecting institutions improve and remit same to Government treasury. The process of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is being concluded;
  • Increased economic growth and development through implementation of policies, programmes and projects.Other macroeconomic assumptions and framework include:
  • Inflation rate of 11.7%;
  • Real GDP growth rate at 2.7% based on National index;
  • Oil Production Benchmark of 2 million Barrel per day;
  • Oil Price Benchmark of $57 per Barrel;
  • Official exchange rate of N305 to a $1;
  • Increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by 25%
  1. On the basis of these assumptions, aggregate revenue is projected at N91.24 billion while the expenditure outlay is estimated at N100.52 billion. The deficit of N8.2 billion is expected to be mainly financed through borrowing.

Anticipated Revenue Receipts in 2020 

  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, I am pleased to announce that the 2020 Appropriation anticipates a total revenue of One Hundred Billion, Five Hundred and Nineteen Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty-six Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-seven Naira (N100,519,956,857) only which translates into the total expenditure outlay.
  1. This shows a marginal increase of Ten Billion, Three Hundred and Forty-nine Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-three Naira (N10,349,710,393) only or 11.48% higher than the 2019 appropriation. The details of these figures are contained in the estimate’s document which I shall lay before this Honourable House.
  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, the 2020 Appropriation is christened “Budget of Inclusive Development”. This is in line with the present Administration’s philosophy anchored on transparency, accountability, prudence and inclusiveness in the discharge of its responsibilities to the good people of Nasarawa State.
  1. Thus, the 2020 budget is to be funded from the following anticipated revenue sources:
  2. Opening balance of N1.08 Billion;
  • Statutory Revenue Allocation of N41 Billion;
  • Value Added Tax (VAT) of N10.5 Billion;
  • Other Allocation (from FAAC) of N2.95 Billion;
  • Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N26.34 Billion;
  • Aid and Grants of N10.46 Billion;
  • Deficit Financing/Borrowing of N8.2 Billion.

 

2020 Total Budget Size 

  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, a total budget size of One Hundred Billion, Five Hundred and Nineteen Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty-six Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-seven Naira (N100,519,956,857) only is presented as the 2020 budget.

Highlights of Sectoral Allocations

Essentially, the budgetary provisions in the 2020 appropriation for the various sectors are as follows:

S/n Sector Personnel Cost OVERHEAD COST Capital Expenditure Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges Total Estimate 2020
1 Governance & general administration 1,731,267,308.75 10,752,369,452.00 4,324,400,000.00 16,808,036,760.75
2 Legislation 594,034,771.18 2,425,520,000.00 968,000,000.00 3,987,554,771.18

 

3 Judiciary/Law & Justice 2,094,061,846.00 670,400,000.00 637,100,000.00 3,401,561,846.00
4 Agriculture & Water Resources 1,072,752,013.00 543,690,170.54 820,950,000.00 2,437,392,183.54
5 Infrastructure 639,266,515.17 515,337,000.00 16,865,900,000.00 18,020,503,515.17

 

6 Finance, Planning/Trade & Investment 1,813,312,148.56 878539,500.00 1,798,400,000.00 6,579,671,147.08 11,069,922,795.64
7 Environment & Natural Resources 76,078,767.00 361,642,500.00 527,000,000.00 964,721,267.00
8 Education, Science & ICT 14,724,157,845.96 4,043,414,820.00 7,586,445,454.98 26,354,018,120.94
9 Health 5,399,250,377.00 2,784,086,000.00 1,608,631,791.89 9,791,968,168.89

 

10 Youth & Social Development 385,753,247.00 1,221,255,000.00 297,000,000.00 1,904,008,247.00

 

  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, it is pertinent to give a brief outline of some of the critical areas of focus in the 2020 budget. In this regard, Government intends to:
  2. Embark on the completion of on-going road construction projects started by the previous Administration, as well as embark on the construction of new roads among which are Sisinbaki-Farin Ruwa road, Mararaba-Udege road among others;
  • Construction of Rural Feeder roads in the State which include Shabu-Doka-Arugbu-Lakio road, Agwade-Shupe-Atabula-Obi, Kanje-Abuni road, Kagbu ‘A’-Wana road, among others;
  • Construction of Bus Terminals at Karu and Lafia;
  • Dualization of Shendam-Akurba road;
  • Continuation of the construction of Airport in Lafia, the State capital, to boost the transport system;
  • Improve security situation;
  • Attract investment for socio-economic development;
  • Construct, expand and rehabilitate infrastructure facilities in our educational institutions;
  • Encourage science education to support engineering, medical and technical needs;
  • Construct, upgrade and rehabilitate healthcare facilities and services in the State as well as equip them;
  • Stimulate agricultural development through the encouragement of commercial agricultural enterprise;
  • Step up wealth creation and job opportunities through the youth and women economic empowerment programmes;
  • Establishment of Human Capital Development Office;
  • Establishment of technological hubs to expand citizens knowledge base through ICT;
  • Massive industrialization of the State through PPP arrangement.
  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members of this Hallowed Chamber, the realization of the development objectives inherent in this Budget calls for our collective commitment and partnership. Let me reiterate that the modest achievements we have made so far, would not have been possible without the exemplary partnership of the Honourable Members.  I commend this treasured collaboration between the Legislature and the Executive which has continued to define our relationship in the service of our people.
  1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, it is my honour and privilege to lay before this Honourable House the 2020 Appropriation Bill, tagged Budget of “Inclusive Development” for your kind consideration and accelerated passage.
  1. Thank you and may God bless us all.

GOVERNOR ABDULLAHI A. SULE SHOWCASES NASARAWA STATE TO FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA

November 30, 2019

His Excellency Engineer Abdullahi A Sule has expressed his profound gratitude to Flour Mills Nigeria for showing genuine interest in Nasarawa State. He made this remark when he led a high powered team to the headquarters of Flour Mills in Lagos to showcase the economic potentials of Nasarawa State in value chain development of Cassava.

The exploratory visit saw Governor Abdullahi A. Sule reaffirm that Nasarawa State provides the most suitable fertile land and geographic advantage in terms of access to markets for Flour Mills Nigeria, should the company accept to venture into large scale Cassava farming in the state.

The Governor further enumerated that the absence of improved cassava variety in Nigeria offers Flour Mills a lucrative gap to take advantage of and that under his stewardship, Agriculture has been repositioned as a key competitive sector in Nasarawa State.

Governor Sule stated that now is the time for Flour Mills to seize the opportunity of the highest level of political will already in place and the robust prevailing enabling environment being provided by Nasarawa State, as well as the world class digital land administration system of NAGIS:

Nasarawa Geographic information Service, to invest in Nasarawa State.
On his part, the Group Managing Director of Flour Mills Nigeria Mr. Paul Gbededo acknowledged that without doubt, “Nasarawa State means Business”, and that the fact that Governor Abdullahi A. Sule clearly communicated the purpose of this meeting, even before arriving Lagos; showed that the government in Nasarawa State was proactive and investor focused.

Mr. Gbededo lauded the business presentation of Nasarawa State team led by Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule describing it as compelling and speaks to depth, hard-work and a brilliant acumen to attract investment at par with global standards.

At the end of the meeting, it was resolved that Flour Mills Nigeria will invest in Agri-processing in Nasarawa State with investments in Cassava farming and Sugar plantation.

On the entourage of His Excellency Governor Abdullahi A. Sule were Attorney General, Prof. Abdulkarim Kana, Commissioner of Agriculture, Prof Otaki Alanana and Lands Commissioner, Prof Salisu Alizaga. Others on the team included Special Adviser on Investment, Ibrahim Adamu Abdullahi, and Permsecs Napthali Dachor for Agriculture and Permsec Stephen Dogo of Lands; as well as DG Nagis, Sonny Agassi and Surveyor General Yusuf Awuya.

Signed
Yakubu Lamai
Director General; Strategic Communication & Press Affairs
To HE Governor Abdullahi A. Sule
Friday 29th November 2019

 

HIS EXCELLENCY, ENGINEER ABDULLAHI SULE ATTENDS THE E-NIGERIA CONFERENCE, EXHIBITION AND AWARDS 2019

November 28, 2019

His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi Sule attending the eNigeria Conference, Exhibition and Awards 2019, holding at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.

Also in attendance as Special Guest, is His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

eNigeria is Nigeria’s annual Information Technology (IT) summit hosted by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with relevant stakeholders from the private and public sector as well as Non-Governmental Organizations. It serves as a platform for ICT awareness creation, developing appropriate framework and setting goals for best practices in order to encourage appropriate positioning of Nigeria in the global Information Society.

Eleven editions of this summit have been held with each contributing to the development in the IT sector in the country. The 2018 edition focused more on the new strategic vision through the Ease of Doing Business Initiative and the signed Executive Order on “Made in Nigeria” goods. The outcome of this conference has led to the engagement of stakeholders on developing a National Mobile Big Data Analytic Strategy Framework and a good number of key initiatives that will revolutionize the Nigerian economy through innovative deployment of new technologies.

GOVERNOR ABDULLAHI A. SULE INAUGURATED 15 COMMISSIONERS

November 1, 2019

In a deft, unprecedented move, Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has issued mandate cards to the 15 newly sworn-in commissioners in the state, seeking their commitment to delivering key policy ideas of his administration.

At a colourful swearing-in ceremony at the City Hall, in Lafia, on Friday, Engineer Sule issued the new commissioners each with a mandate card carrying specific goals, in line with their new responsibilities.

The commissioners were asked to sign the mandate cards, pledging their commitment to deliver specific goals.

Specifically, the commissioners were made to understand that the vision of the Nasarawa State government within the next four years, is to be among the top three most competitive states in the country by 2023, in terms of sustained, accelerated economic growth, increased economic activities and prosperity, among other indices.

The commissioners were also made to understand the urgency to tackle prevailing challenges that continue to inhibit development, stifle economic growth from trickling down to the bottom of the pyramid, and limiting the capacity of the people to maximize their God given potentials.

They were equally made to understand that disciplined implementation of reforms and implementation of well designed policies and programmes must be undertaken to unlock opportunities, create wealth, improve employment and drive sustained growth in the state.

For the state Ministry of Justice, for instance, the specific goals for the new Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the state include, ensuring the implementation of the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS) and the development of Sector Implementation Plan (SIP) to align with the vision and goals of the NEDS.

Also, ensuring access to justice for all persons and observance of the rule of law and due process in all MDAs, conduct robust negotiations and vetting of contracts/agreements on behalf of the MDAs in order to protect the interest of the state.

The state Attorney-General is also expected to ensure prompt prosecution of all crimes against the state and effectively defending civil cases on behalf of the state government, as well as ensuring provision of timely quality legal advice and ancillary services to MDAs.

According to the Governor, the success of any government is dependent on the quality of its team, adding that his administration selected the appointees with proven competence, vitality and community representation.

The Governor tasked the newly sworn-in members of the state executive council on imbibing the principles of accountability, probity, transparency and financial discipline, stressing that public office is public trust.

“You joined the administration at a time our administration is committed to promoting economic empowerment and general wellbeing of the people,” Engineer Sule reminded the commissioners.

The newly inaugurated commissioners and their portfolios are:
Prof. Allananah O. Otaki – Ministry of Agric & Water Resources
Boyi Obadiah – Ministry of Trade, Industry & Investment
Mrs. Fati J. Sabo – Ministry of Education, Science & Technology
Musa I. Abubakar – Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources
Haruna Adamu Ogbole – Ministry of Finance, Budget & Economic Planning,
Ahmed B. Yahaya – Ministry of Health
Dogo Shammah – Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism
Dr. Abdulkarim A. Kana – Ministry of Justice
Salihu L.A Alizaga – Ministry of Lands & Urban Development
Yusuf A. Turaki  – Ministry of Local Govt, Community Dev & Chieftaincy Affairs
Halima A. Jabiru – Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Dev.

Philip Dada – Ministry of Works, Housing & Transport
Othman B. Adam – Ministry of Youth & Sports Development
Muhammad Abubakar Imam – Commissioner Special Duties and
Mohammed Bashir Aliyu – Commissioner Special Duties.

 

2-DAY RETREAT ORGANISED FOR TOP GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES IN NASARAWA STATE HELD AT KINI COUNTRY GUEST INN, AKWANGA: WEDNESDAY, 30TH TO THURSDAY, 31ST OCTOBER, 2019

COMMUNIQUE

 

1.1        The Retreat, with the theme “Charting a Fresh Vision for Greater Nasarawa State” is for Top Government Functionaries in Nasarawa State was held at Kini Country Guest Inn, Akwanga, Nasarawa State on Wednesday, 30th and Thursday, 31st October, 2019. The retreat was attended by His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, the Governor; His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, the Deputy Governor; Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State; Head of the Civil Service; Honourable Commissioners (designate); Special Advisers; Senior Special Assistants; Special Assistant; Personal Assistants; Permanent Secretaries; Chief Executives of Government Commissions, Boards and Agencies respectively.

 

1.2        In his welcome address, the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Hon. Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, welcomed participants and Resource Persons to Akwanga and stated that the retreat is a paradigm shift from the old ways of doing things which is timely and apt, considering its significance, especially now with the appointment of Hon. Commissioners (designate) and Special Advisers aimed at acquainting them with the rudiments of processes and procedures of the conduct of Government business.

 

1.3        The retreat was declared open by His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, the Governor of Nasarawa State. In his opening remarks, he intimated that the appointment of the new public or political officer holds was based on their pedigree, credentials and track records and not on primordial considerations. He then enjoined the participants to take the retreat seriously and ensure that the knowledge gained is internalized and put to practice in running Government.

 

1.4        He further stressed that the expectation of Government from the retreat is to expose participants to the rudiments of government business in the formulation of policies and implementation of programmes and projects.

 

1.5        He also recalled that on assumption of office and in line with the policy objectives of the Administration, a Committee on the restructuring of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to streamline government machineries for optimal performance and Investment and Economic Advisory Council to stimulate growth and development were set-up in addition to flag-off construction of roads among others.

 

1.6        He disclosed that the present Administration would ensure that salary and pension payments in percentages will be a thing of the past, especially at the Local Government Councils. The Governor equally stated that the issue of National Minimum Wage of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30,000.00) would be looked into through negotiations and advocacy with labour leaders using open dialogue process.

 

1.7        The Governor further stated that the State Government is pursuing with vigour the adoption of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to block leakages and ensure efficiency in the management of resources.

 

1.8        He encouraged Ministries, Departments and Agencies to key into Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as well as to collaborate with Nasarawa Internal Revenue Service (NIRS) for enhanced revenue generation to address empowerment, employment, women and youth industrialization and infrastructure development.

 

1.9        The retreat which was segmented into a 2-day programme had Prof. Suleiman Bala Moh, the Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Chief Silas J. Dachor, Permanent Secretary, rtd. as Chairmen with ten (10) different papers presented by erudite Resource Persons who are indigenes of Nasarawa State across various world live except one.

 

1.10    After the presentations, contributions, extensive discussions, participants reserved as follows:

  1. Public and political office holders are encouraged to read and analyse security reports;

 

  1. Political and public office holders should be steadfast, transparent in the conduct of Government business and should be in touch with grassroots to address crisis;

 

  1. The need for a functional data base in Ministries, Department and Agencies in the State to track Government transactions;

 

  1. Image and actions of Government appointees should reflect the vision and mission of Government and citizens should be given ownership of mandates matching their peculiar needs to stabilize communities;

 

  1. Faith based dialogue should be encouraged to promote tolerance to enhance security and security matters should also be proactive to avoid conflict manifestation;

 

  1. Appointees should be proficient in identifying early signs of deteriorating situations and be willing to act before they escalate which can be done through engagement of stakeholders;

 

  1. Appointees should be prudent in the utilization of public funds and public and political office holders should be opened to constructive criticism;

 

  1. The need for establishment of public procurement/due diligence unit for transparency, accountability and effectiveness;

 

  1. The urgent need for the composition of a State Budget and Planning Implementation Unit;

 

  1. The ICT is user friendly and has capacity to provide data banks, efficiency for internal and external utilization;

 

  1. All Government functionaries are encouraged to have secured e-mail address and be ICT compliance;
  2. The State needs to expand and deepen its Revenue Generation Net by maximizing and optimizing Revenue Resources;

 

  1. The need for a deliberate efforts aimed at training and re-training to build capacity for good governance;

 

  1. The need for robust engagement of critical stakeholders including Traditional Rulers in the running of the Government, especially in actualizing NEDS document.

 

  1. Public office holders should embrace transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business;

 

  1. Public office holders should take public opinion into cognizance in discharging a policy formulation in order to ensure a democratic governance process and address public agitations;

 

  1. Government should diversify its revenue sources by investing in agricultural sector to boost the economy of the State and create job opportunities for the unemployed youths;

 

  1. Separation of power is not separation of Government. It follows, therefore, there must be mutual collective responsibilities between the tiers of Government to achieve the objective of governance, social harmony and integration. Dialogue and consensus between the executive and the legislative should be encourage and promoted for public interest and good governance;

 

  1. The need to resuscitate the moribund Joint Local Government and State Revenue Tax Collection Committee

 

  1. That the public service should be equipped to implement and enforce the economic, political and social policies of Government and also ensure prudency, and accountability in the management of public funds;

 

  1. The Office of the Head of Civil Service is to provide a good leadership direction to the civil servants by ensuring and maintaining high moral standard as well as liaising with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State to obtain and circulate relevant Government documents including the Nigeria Constitution, Code of Conduct, Public Service Rule, Financial Regulation and other extant documents to public and political office holders;

 

  1. All Government Ministries, Department and Agencies should collaborate with the Nasarawa State ICT Bureau to key into Home Based and Secured Services and not to contract to outside Consultants.

 

  1. Government should consider the need to bring on board the indigenous Resource Persons engaged in the retreat to tap on their wealth of experiences to the advantage of the State;

 

 

  1. Internal Generated Revenue must be treated electronically (ICT) to avoid/block leakages;

 

  1. A computerized system must be in place to enable constant monitoring;

 

  1. Revenue staff must be aggressive, futuristic and so need constant training especially on customer relations;

 

  1. Revenue collection must be planned to maximize collection.

 

  1. Time and cost benefit analyses target advocates realistic evidence based but motivational revenue targets;

 

  1. Reward target achievement to avoid leakages;

 

  1. Investment in Tax Education, billboards, social media campaigns.

 

  1. Citizens have to know about tax, why they should pay, where and when to pay;

 

  1. Revenue generation is intelligence gathering when money collected is utilized judiciously, it elicits better compliance;

 

  1. Returns on payment must be visible;

 

  1. There must be political will and support to revenue collecting agencies;

 

  1. Improving revenue sharing indices of the State;

 

  1. Establishment of working committees on revenue indices to harmonise;

 

  1. Nasarawa State leverage on international ICT tools to grow its capacity;

 

  1. The need for an independent monitoring unit to monitor activities of Government and report;

 

  1. The need for MDAs including State-owned Tertiary Institutions to declare their revenue collection;

 

  1. The need to strengthen legal frameworks on Nasarawa Internal Revenue Service.

 

 

2.0 The Communiqué drafting Committee wishes to register its appreciation for considering them worthy to carry out this all important assignment.

 

ENGINEER SULE CHARGES POLITICAL APPOINTEES TO KEY INTO GOVT’S POLICIES

October 31, 2019

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has charged political appointees in the state on the need to key into the policy direction of his administration.

Engineer Sule laid the charge while delivering a closing remark at the end of a two-day retreat for top government functionaries that held at the Kini Country Guest Inn, in Akwanga, on Thursday.

The Governor, while appreciating the organizers of the retreat for doing a good job, stressed that the essence of the session was for the political appointees to be on the same page with government.

“It’s an idea some of us had, with our background from the private sector, whenever you are engaging people to do something new, you have to be on the same page with them.
“That’s the essence of the retreat. Those who came together to organize it have done a very good job,” Engineer Sule said.

He however tasked the participants not to leave what they learnt at the retreat but to take it along with them as they assume their new responsibilities.

According to the Governor, “Once we finish this kind of event, we want to see, what is the take home? Because in most cases, people gather and sit down and discuss and finish then what? That’s the issue.

“A lot of us, maybe going back from here, even if you can give them 10 copies of the communique, they are abandoning everything that they learned. That’s the end of it. I don’t think that is the direction.

Engineer Sule therefore challenged the appointees to consider the items listed in the communique issued at the end of the retreat and for them to pick one or two items to work on when discharging their responsibilities.

“They have listed about 40 items, please pick one and say I’m going to work on this particular one,” he urged the participants.

Earlier, Chairman of the Communique Drafting Committee, Dr. Ibrahim Othman, said the retreat was organized in order to expose participants to the rudiments of government business in the formulation of policies, implementation of programmes and projects.

As part of the decisions arrived by participants at the retreat, he called on public and political office holders to remain steadfast, transparent in the conduct of government business, as well as be in touch with grassroots to address crisis.

“The image and actions of government appointees should reflect the vision and mission of government and citizens should be given ownership of mandates matching their peculiar needs to stabilize communities.

“Appointees should be prudent in the utilization of public funds and public and political office holders should be opened to constructive criticism,” part of the 40-point communique reads.