Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Monday presented the state’s 2015 budget estimate of N320, 621,216.641 to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
Presenting the budget tagged, “Budget of Completion,” Governor Dickson explained that, the amount comprises N175, 776, 828, 076 or 54% for recurrent expenditure, while N144, 844, 388, 565 or 45.2% representing capital expenditure.
According to the Governor, the total amount of the 2015 budget is expected to be financed from a total revenue projection of N231, 317, 000,000 and capital receipts of N89, 304, 216, 641.
Giving a sectoral breakdown of the 2015 fiscal budget, he noted that the sum of N65, 935, 000,000 was allocated to the Works and Infrastructure sub sector, while N20, 960, 440, 000 was earmarked for Education.
Governor Dickson, who assured that most of the ongoing projects in the health sector would be completed, particularly the 5 new referral hospitals under construction, Melford Okilo Memorial Hospital, rehabilitation work on over 30 health centres across the state and allotted N7,151,258,665 to the sector.
On Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Governor proposed the sum of N4, 200,000,000, stating that, the establishment of acqua-culture and starch processing centres as well as the execution of the rice and plantain/banana value chain programmes, are as a result of a memorandum of understanding between the government and its development partners.
He also said the government would commence work on the new water reticulation network in the Yenagoa metropolis next year, which would be extended to the rural communities.
While directing the state-owned electricity company as well as the ministry of Power to liaise with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company to ensure improved power supply in the state, Governor Dickson allocated the sum of N7, 58, 000,000 to the Public Utilities sub sector.
The Governor, who expressed government’s commitment to the completion of the two sports academies at Asoama in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area and Angalabiri in Sagbama local government area, allotted the sum of N4, 171, 000,000 to the Sports sub sector.
Commenting on the Information and Communications sector, he said the digitalization of the electronic media, including the state owned radio and television stations would be actualized through adequate funding and allocated the sum of N1, 98, 000, 000.
According to Governor Dickson, N2,755,240,000,000 is earmarked for the Social Development, Women and Youth Empowerment sub sector, N990 million is allocated for environment, Science and Technology got N1, 652, 000,000 and N2,976, 000,000 is earmarked for the Transport sector.
On Housing and Urban Development, the Governor announced the allocation of N5.7bn, while Capital City Development Authority, got N2,464,667,700, with N1,789,000,000 going to Tourism.
