Skip to main content

North-east Nigeria ‘short-changed’ in 2021 federal budget — Governors



 The North-East Governors Forum has called for the execution of more Federal Government capital projects in 2021 to ensure the rapid development of the region.

The forum expressed disappointment over the provision of N45.32 billion for capital projects in the region in the Federal Government budget for 2021.

The governors made the appeal in a communique issued at the end of the Third Meeting of the forum on Friday in Yola.

They noted that despite the challenges of development, especially the infrastructural deficit in the region, the federal government 2021 budget failed to present equity in the distribution of federal projects.

“Forum notes with dismay, that despite the challenges of development especially, the infrastructural deficit in Northeast, the 2021 proposed budget makes provision for only N45.32 billion for capital projects in the region.

“This represent a paltry 0.35 per cent of the proposed N13.02 trillion and this means the Northeast is highly short changed.


“The Forum demands the National Assembly to review the 2021 budget in the spirit of equity and inclusion and we mandate the Northeast Caucus of both the Senate and House of Representatives to take immediate steps to redress this imbalance,” it said.

Equally, the forum noted that the region has been unfairly treated in the provision of roads infrastructure by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

It further noted with dismay the slow or outright non-existent progress on the pace of the roads already allocated in the region.

The forum called for immediate reactivation and review of the comatose existing road contracts in the region.

“The Forum notes with dismay, the lack of budgetary provision in respect of the Mambilla Hydro Project in the 2021 budget proposal.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to make the project a matter of serious priority, resolve all encumbrances around the project and order action on the site.

“The Forum critically examined the challenges of education in the region and resolved to adopt a regional approach, especially at the basic level.

“And the Forum agreed to form the Northeast Council on Education to transform the region’s educational sector,” it said.

Besides, the forum called on the Northeast Development Commission to expedite action on the development of the Northeast Strategic Master Plan.

The governors also examined the status of the post COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package of N2.3 trillion and praised the federal government for the noble initiative.

The forum however solicited for equitable and fair treatment especially in view of the economic and social challenges facing the region.


PREMIUM TIME 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taraba Governor Approves Cabinet Reshuffle, Redeploys Four Commissioners

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has approved the immediate redeployment of four Commissioners serving in the State Executive Council as part of a cabinet reshuffle. The redeployment, contained in a press release dated August 26, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, Esq., affects four ministries. Under the new arrangement, Hon. Peter George moves from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to the Ministry of Water Management and Aquatic Affairs, while Hon. Daniel Ishaku is redeployed from Water Management and Aquatic Affairs to the Ministry of Waste Management and Resource Innovation. Also affected are Hon. Bernard Shonzen James Kassa, who moves from the Ministry of Waste Management and Resource Innovation to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Services, and Hon. Philip Habu James, who is redeployed from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Services to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jukun militia kills five Tiv farmers, injures woman in fresh attack

In Spite of interventions by stakeholders to broker peace between the Tiv and Jukun in Benue and Taraba states, five persons have been killed in fresh attacks on Gyenku in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. The Guardian learnt that the Jukun attacked farms to kill the victims.Confirming the incidence, Caretaker Chairman of Ukum Council, Tor-Tyokaa Iberlogo said five persons were killed on their farms, while a woman was seriously injured and is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. On what becomes of the peace committee set up by Benue and Taraba states governments to ensure lasting peace and security in both states, Iberlogo said members of the committee would visit him next Monday for briefing. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue Command, DSP Sewuese Anene, said all efforts to get details from the Ukum Council Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Police Area Command failed. It would be recalled that the incidence took p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Taraba Government: Curfew Relaxed by Two Hours

The fourteen hours curfew imposed by the Taraba State Government on Jalingo metropolis and surrounding villages at the wake of the fulani herdsmen evasion of some communities has been relaxed by two hours. This was contained in a press release signed by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor, Mr. Iliya Bekyu Akweh. Accordingly, the approved timing of the curfew is now 6pm to 6am as against the initial 4pm to 6pm daily. To this end, the state government is again appealing to the security agencies in the state to ensure enforcement of the curfew. Residents of Jalingo the state’s capital and surrounding villages especially those at the areas affected by the crisis are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance.
Post a Comment
Read more