The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Thursday approved N45.2 billion proposed in the 2022 budget for 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
This development followed the consideration of the report of the joint House Committee on Local Government and Community Development, and that of Finance and Appropriation.
Presenting the report, Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Habibu Modachi (PDP- Isa), said the joint committee prepared a working timetable for the budget defense of the LGAs.
“This exercise, which started from Jan. 27 to Jan. 31, observed some other issues affecting the councils.
“These issues include poor revenue generation associated with leakages and the inability of the local government councils to tap and explore more avenues for more revenue in their domains.
“However, the performance of some local government councils with regard to Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), is appreciable, while others need to do more in that regard.
“Also, the recurrent expenditure of some local government councils is higher than the capital expenditure, which will negatively hinder the execution of capital projects.
“The councils should ensure that the capital provision is always greater, to make the budget conform with international best practice,” he said.
Modachi said the committee recommended that the ministry for local government should organise training workshop for local government area Director of Finance and Planning officers.
“This is on the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) based budgeting procedure to enhance their knowledge in the preparation of annual budgets,” he added.
In his remark, Speaker of the House, Alhaji Aminu Achida, said recommendations of the committee on the proposed 2022 local government budget had been considered and approved accordingly, just as the lawmakers adopted it in a voice vote. (NAN)
