The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the state’s 2025 appropriation bill of N526.9 billion
The passage of the budget followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation presented by its chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Zakari, at the plenary in Sokoto.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu presented the 2025 budget estimate to the Assembly on November 29.
Zakari said the committee commenced budget defence sessions for the various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) following the governor’s presentation of the budget estimate.
He said: “These engagements allowed the MDAs to clarify their budgetary needs, after which the sub-committees submitted their reports to the main committee.
“However, some MDAs requested additional funds, and adjustments were made to cater to essential priority needs without altering the total budget size.”
Zakari said the approved budget comprised capital expenditure of N349.4 billion and recurrent expenditure of N176.3 billion.
He added that the committee also made key recommendations, including the need for enhanced collaboration between MDAs and the Ministries of Budget and Finance to address discrepancies in budget reporting.
“Furthermore, on revenue generation, agencies should explore new revenue opportunities and plug leakages, ensuring full compliance with the State Revenue Integration and Consolidation Law 2019,” he stated.
The House Leader, Alhaji Bello Idris, moved the motion for the passage of the bill and this was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Alhaji Tukur Bala.