Governor Darius Ishaku approved the appointment of more special Advisers, S S A, S A and Heads of Boards and parastatals

I take it a great honor to stand before this honorable house today to present the 2017 appropriation Bill, Being the second in our administration. Honorable speaker, may I start by saluting all Tarabans on this occasion for the patience and resilience they have shown during this passing year. We had high expectations expressed in the 2016 appropriation: however, our expectations were not made due to recession we are still experiencing in our country. It did not allow us to have the resources we anticipated to execute all our laudable programs and projects. The hard times have however taught us many lessons, among which the dexterity in the management of our resources that enabled us to meet our most critical needs. It is often said ‘when there is life there is hope’. We still have hope of brighter future.

                                              OVERVIEW OF THE ECONOMY
In our desire to propel Taraba state to economic prosperity, we came with the rescue agenda which is people-centered. In order to achieve this noble desire, we have continued to focus on the need to achieve sustained peace and security which is peace for development
You will agree with me, Mr. Speaker that my sincere commitment to peaceful co-existence of all citizens of our dear state has seen to a remarkable departure from near state of anarchy I met on resumption of office in may2015. To the glory of God, in spite of the isolated cases of security breaches we have experienced in recent times, we can all testify to the fact that peace has finally returned to our land. I must also thank our people for seeing the need to maintain peace which it has helped us to now focus on serious government business. It has allowed our hard working farmers to go back to the land and thank God their labor has been rewarded with good harvest this year. In order to ginger economic activities in our communities, the Rescue Watch Teams have been going round sensitizing our people on the rescue mission and urging them to be responsive to their civic duties that will assist the government in meeting their yearnings and aspirations. We sincerely appreciate the positive of our people.

                                        REVIEW OF 2016 BUDGET
The 2016 Appropriation Bill was passed by the House Of Assembly and has the total value of N100.785 billion. The sum of N21.069 billion (20.90%) was for salaries and allowances, while 4.445 billion (4.41%) for Consolidates Revenue Fund/Public Debt and N11.619 billion (11.53) for Overhead Costs, bringing the total Recurrent provision to N42.728 billion representing 42.40 % of the total budget. The balance of N58.147 billion representing 57.69% was set aside for Capital Expenditure. In addition, a supplementary Appropriation amounting to 6.694 billion made of N5.794 billion Recurrent Expenditure bans o.901 billion for Capital Expenditure was recently submitted to the Honorable House.
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE PERFORMANCE (JANUARY – SEPTEMBER2016).
At the end of September 2016, a total sum of 44.267 billion, representing 58.565 of the proportionate target of N75.589 billion for the period, was collected as revenue. This comprised a gross sum of N15.579 billion from the Federal Statutory Allocation, N5.548 billion from value added tax (VAT), N3.107 billion as the state’s internally Generated Revenue and other miscellaneous receipts totaling N7.377 billion. Total recurrent revenue amounted to N31.611 billion. While capital Receipts stood at N12.656 billion. It is worthy to note that about 16.67% which is the N7.377 billion came from unanticipated sources.
On the expenditure side, at the end of September 2016. A total sum of N43.650 billion had been expended, which was made up of N33.826 billion for Recurrent Expenditure and N9.834 billion for Capital Expenditure. The percentage performance as at September for recurrent and capital expenses was 79.175 and 16.905 respectively, and these culminated to a total of 43.27% of the budget performance. The drastic fall in our expectation did not allow us meet our budgetary goals.
Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members, let me briefly elaborate on the capital expenditure performance. Though our shortfall in the revenue profile was enormous, with the meager resources left and in the face of rising cost due to inflation, we were able to attend to our key projects in the main programs that have direct bearing on our people. These are stated as follows:

ECONOMIC EMPOWETMENT THROUGH AGRICULTURE
To ensure that we achieve our vision of creating jobs and improvement of internally
Displaced revenue through the production of quality vegetables for local markets in Taraba and other major cities in Nigeria, we have sustained our funding of the Green House Project in Jalingo. This has brought the project to over 50% completion level. The sesame seed value chain programme and the dry season rice farming programme under the federal Government Anchors Borrowers scheme were also funded within this period to ensure that our farmers in the state also benefit.
In addition, our obligation to the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the FADAMA III project in form of counterpart funds was settled.
IMPROVEMENT TO HUMAN HEALTH
A healthy population with sound mind is more productive and useful to the society. It is in view of this that this administration has taken with all seriousness activities in the health sector. You will all recall that we recently recruited over one hundred personnel to fill-up vacancies in the sector besides ensuring that the School of Nursing continues the training of qualified nurses in the state. To bridge capacity gap in the sector, government also approved the re-engagement of experienced retire nurses and midwives on contract basis.
To ensure the availability of quality drugs in all our hospitals, the sum of over N150million naira was expended to procure drugs within the period. To address the most critical component in the health sector (primary health care), government has established then primary Health Care Development Agency in the state. This has positioned the state to effectively cater for health challenges that are common among children and women. Thus, our immunization rounds have been robust and consistent. We sincerely thank our development partners (UNICEF, WHO, etc.) for their unflinching support to ensure that our children and women are given required medical attention. Within the period, the state Government was able to pay her counterpart contribution for the donor supported programme.
Diseases outbreaks such as lassa fever, cholera, etc were also tackled promptly.
WATER RESOURCES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
The Jalingo primary water supply project is going on steadily.
Assorted water treatment chemicals and high premium laboratory equipment we procured to ensure quality water supply to our people.
On rural development, transformers and electro-mechanical items were procured to boost power supply in Takum and Bali Towns.
Rehabilitation of Pamamga-Dakka, Kakulu – Yakoko and Marraban Mayorenewo to Mayorenewo town roads was carried out.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION
Our commitment to making sure that there are good roads in the state remains undaunted even in the face of dwindling revenue.
Phase 1 jalingo – Kona – LAU ROAD IS ABOUT 65% COMPLETION. Work on Jalingo – Kona portion is already completed.
Reconstruction of a portion of Takum –Katsina-ala road though direct labor is nearing completion. In ADDITION WE SAVED Gembu road from total closure by npromptky mobilizing the contractor to repair the failed portion at Lekitaba. On township roads, progress on the palace, magami and other road networks within Jalingo metropolis has also been very impressive.
Further more, Air transportation into the state was not left behind as the government continued to provide more facilities at the airport for better services. I am working hard to ensure that the current arrangement whereby flights into Jalingo by overland Airways are scheduled for nonly three days in a week can be made daily with effect from 2017.
YOUTH EMPOWWERMENT
As part of the activities of the Rescue Watch Team, skill acquisition trainings were embarked upon in the 16 LGs, A total of 336 people were trained in tailoring, shoe making, soap making, weaving, wood work, and carpentry. Others field are weaving, welding, hair dressing, information and communication technology and fish netting.
GROWING THE PRIVATE SECTOR
The collaborative efforts of the state government with the Bank of Industry which is targeted at empowering a good number of existing and prospective entrepreneurs has so far seen to the issuance of cheaques to a number of beneficiaries of the scheme since the inception of this administration.
In the same vein, we have continued to support the production and processing of tea through the Mambilla Beverages Nigeria Limited which has fast turned out to be an impressive catalyst for the promotion of self-empowerment, as almost all households within the Kakara area have been highly empowered economically as a result of the turn-around of the company by this administration. The commissioning of small hydro electricity Dam for use by the factory and the installation of modern equipment by this administration has serve as a turning point in the lives of the communities around the company. It is worthy of note Mr. Speaker, that this year, my administration embarked on the resuscitation of our moribund companies. To achieve this, we had to embark on the repositioning of the Taraba Investment and Properties Limited to see that they statutory role of ensuring that government investments in private enterprise as properly managed. We have so far reactivated the viva Feed mill, Zing and the Taraba Gas Company Limited, Jalingo which now operates successfully.
                                                      

                                                    YEAR 2017 BUDGET
Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members, since we came on board our focus has been the achievement to the rescue agenda. This we will continue to pursue until the state is completely rescued from all forms of economic & social backwardness. The year 2017 budget is therefore prepared with mindset of addressing those factors inhibiting our rapid progress to greatness. You may recall since 2014, the state adopted the programme base budgeting. A summary of the key capital development programme in 2017 budget with their allocations below:
Economic Empowerment through Agriculture
In 2017, we will continue to accord agriculture its rightful place as we know it is the main occupation of our people which has great potential for creating wealth. Our partnership with the state the federal government and other partners in this sector will be strengthened for greater results. We will ensure that all counterpart fund requirements are settled timely for effective draw down. Work on the green house Jalingo will be completed so that we can start enjoying the fruit of that investment. A total sum of N4.404 billion is therefore being proposed for Economic Empowerment through Agriculture.
This is 4.02% of the 2017 budget.
Improvement in Human Health
As Stated earlier, we have accorded the health sector priority in the rescue agenda. We all know that most of our health infrastructures are in a very bad shapes. It is our intention to rehabilited five general hospitals in the state in 2017 besides continuing work on some of the on-going projects. Quality drugs and other hospital consumables will be procures and stocked form our health institutions.
The sum of N4.977 billion representing 4.52% has been proposed.
Enhancing Skills and Knowledge
Education is the bedrock of development in any society. Our partnership with the federal Government on the universal Basic Education (UBE) programme will continue in view of the importance of early education to the child. We will ensure payment of our matching grant in order to secure the draw-down from UBEC. Our secondary schools and tertiary institutions will be accorded equal attention to produce quality graduates for the manpower needs of the state. We have proposed the sum of N2.659 billion or 2.41% under this programme.
Housing and Urban Development
This programme covers the provision of housing and other urban infrastures and it cuts across all sectors of the state. It carries the highest allocation of N12.1532 billion or 11.03% in the 2017 budget proposal.
Environment Improvement
Our environment is our greatest assets. Harnessing its potentials and protecting it from damage is our focus. Sustained efforts will be made to ensure that we win the war against deforestation occasioned by indiscriminate logging activities that daily threaten our forest resources. The sum of N5.063 billion or 4.60% is proposed for the projects under this programme.
Water Resources and Rural Development
The provision of water, rural roads and electricity are very important to the re-vitalization of economic activities in the economy. This programme has a proposal of N7.120 billion or 6.46% in the 2017 budget proposal.
Reform of Government and Governance
This programme covers all machineries of government across the three arms. For effective coordination of all the other programme, there is the need to have strong governing institutions. During the 2017 fiscal year, the sum of N5.391 billion representing 4.89% has been proposed for reform of Government and Governance.
Road Construction/Transportation
In 2017, government intends to spend N11.110billion on construction of roads and transportation in general. This is 10.890% of the total budget.
Other programme namely: Societal Re-orientation, Poverty Alleviation, Gender empowerment, Youth Empowerment, ICT, Growing the private sector, Power Generation and Airways most cover across-cutting issues, have also received their due allocation in the 2017 budget proposals.

                                                          2017 REVENUE
The 2017 Budget proposal has projected a revenue of One Hundred and Ten Billion, One Hundred and Sixty Eight Million, Nine hundred and Eighty Three Thousand, Nine hundred and forty Two Naira which is 9.125 higher than the 2016 approved budget. The sum is expected to accrued from the following sources:
Federal Statuary Allocation: The projection for the state in 2017 is put at Thirty Five, Three Hundred and Sixteen Million, One Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira. This is 1.225% decrease over the 2016 figure.
Value Added Tax (VAT): The sum of Ten Billion Naira has been proposed to come from this source, showing an increase of 16.235 over 2016 approved figure.
Federal Government Budget Support: The sum of Six Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira has been projected as the balance of the FGN Budget support fund granted to the state at the middle of the 2016 fiscal year
Other Miscellaneous Receipts from Federal Account: The 2017 budget has proposed the sum of Two Billion, Six Hundred and Seventy Two Million, Five Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty Seven Naira to be derived from this sources
Aids and Grants: Aids and Grants amounting to Five Billion, Nine Hundred and Twenty Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Five Naira is expected from development partners.
FGN Refund to State for Road Projects: The sum of Twenty Four Billion naira is anticipated to be paid back to the state in 2017.
Internal Loan: a proposal of the sum of fifteen Billion Naira is made against 2017
External Loan: Expected draw down in 2017 from this source is estimated to be Two billion, Six Hundred and FIFTY Three Million, Two hundred and Thirty Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety Naira.



                                               2017 EXPENDITURE
The total sum of One Hundred and Ten Billion, One hundred and Sixty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty, Three ,Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Naira is being presented here to be appropriated as the recurrent and capital expenditures of the state for the 2017 fiscal period. This is distributed between recurrent expenditure of Forty Nine Billion, Three hundred and Twenty Five Million, Two Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty One naira, representing 44.77% and capital expenditure of Sixty Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty Three Million, Seven Hundred and one Thousand, Eleven Naira or 55.23%. The details of all the allocations are contained in the proposal to be laid before the Honorable House. Further breakdown of the budget will be given by the Chairman, State planning Commission later.
Mr. Speaker, Honorable members, ladies and Gentlemen it is my honor and pleasure to lay before you the appropriation Bill of our Government for the year 2017 amounting to One Hundred and Ten Billion, One hundred and Sixty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and forty Two Naira. I assure you that by the grace of the Almighty God, during the in-coming year, we shall strive with renewed strength and vigor to make our state better through selfless service.

I thank you for your attention
God bless Taraba State.
God bless Nigeria