Aminu Tambuwal: Sokoto State Governor

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has assented to the state’s 2017 appropriation bill of N 204.3 billion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state legislature had passed the bill on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Speaking at the event in Sokoto, Tambuwal said that there were some serious daunting economic challenges facing the state, yet payment of salaries has been prompt.

“Also, prompt payment of pensions and gratuities to state government’s retirees had been sustained.

“The Auditor-General for Local Governments is also working on the records to effect the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities of the Local Governments,” he added.

Tambuwal also promised to ensure the implementation of the budget, well above that of 2016; while even distribution of resources will be ensured.

” Several projects will now begin to spring across the state, while emphasis would be on the rural areas.”

The governor further disclosed that the state government had been restructured to boost the state’s internally generated revenue.

He said that the former leadership of the State’s Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) performed below expectations, hence the restructuring became imperative.

”However, we are not going to introduce new unbearable taxes, yet the residents of the state should strive to pay all due revenues and taxes as at when due.

”We are assuring our people of the judicious utilisation of all revenues in the best interest of the people,” the governor said.

Tambuwal commended the state legislators for the speedy passage of the budget.

He promised that the cordial relationship between them, the executive and the judiciary would be sustained.

The Speaker, Alhaji Salihu Maidaji, had earlier extolled the existing cordial relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government in the state.

Maidaji, however, stressed the need to improve on the internal revenue generations sequel to the dwindling oil revenues.

NAN recalls that Tambuwal had on Dec. 29, 2016 presented the budget estimate of N204.3 billion to the House of Assembly.

NAN also recalls that over 27.3 per cent of the budget was allocated to the education sector occasioned by the declaration of the state of emergency on the education sector.

Meawhile, Tambuwal has approved the dissolution of the management committee of Sokoto State Board of Internal Revenue.

The State Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Saidu Umar, in a statement, said a nine-member interim management committee had been constituted, pending when a substantive board would be appointed.

The commissioner urged the new appointees to develop a ”holistic road map” that would strengthen the board.

According to him, the state government will provide necessary support to the new team, headed by Aminu Dalhatu, to enable it achieve optimum results.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Tambuwal had, at a recent stakeholders’ forum, promised to reposition the board to enable it to discharge its responsibilities diligently and efficiently. (NAN)