By Juliana Katung:
Kaduna State Government on Tuesday, presented a budget of N257.9 billion for 2020 fiscal year. The estimate shows an increase over the N245.4 presented to the citizens at a town hall at the weekend
Presenting the budget, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe announced various fiscal measures being envisaged by the government.
She said most of the policies that will be implemented within the year will require a fresh legislative action and that the government had made a proposal of about ten bills that are expected to aid the ongoing transformational reforms in the State.
She said one of the most notable achievements of the present administration during its first tenure, was the number of executive bills passed by the State Assembly.
The Deputy Governor said a proposed finance bill will specify amendments of the tax code, the introduction of revived development and the land use charges for all property in the urban areas to reflect and review charges for the registration of private educational and health facilities across the State
“We are also proposing for an Educational bill that will grant free and compulsory education up to senior secondary level for all students in the State. Free education upto senior secondary level is being enjoyed only by female students while the boys to junior level”.
She assured that the bill, from 2020 will engage the marshal KASTLEA and Kaduna State vigilante services to jointly ensure that, no child roams the streets during school hours without a solid reason or his parent or guidance face legal consequences.
“The educational related bill shows our commitment to the enhancement of the UBE act, child Welfare prohibition law and street hawking prohibition law”.
The Acting Governor said the third, is the technical and vocational education bill which will enable the conversion of business aprentenceship centers into technical vocational education and training colleges with boarding facilities and community base governance frame work
“The public service bill is proposed to entrench our reforms revitalization efforts and ensure uniformity and clarity in the administration of the State public service”.
While the Health facility management and regulation bill is to enable oversight functions regarding the establishment, registration and regulation of every type of public and private health facility within the State.
She further mentioned the State primary health care development amendment or re-enactment bill meant to update the primary health care development Agency under one roof law. “This House graciously enacted a law in September 2015 which paved way for influx of cordinated donor support to our health care programs”.
According to her, “the social protection bill will domesticate various social intervention program of the Federal government and also propose a State wide social safety net that will address the basic need and concerns of current and vulnerable citizens”.
“The Chieftaincy and traditional council bill is aimed at reforming the chieftaincy system as well as the emirate and traditional council and also update the provision of colonial law of the subject”.
The Acting Governor mentioned that, the employment promotion bill will establish a State council of economic advisers to guide the government on measures to promote job creation, economic development and investment promotion”.
Dr. Hadiza further proposed the state universal basic education bill which will reveal the 2005 law to reflex lessons learnt in the implementation of the domestication of the UBE act to ensure the elimination of the Almajiri phenomena in Kaduna State.
She added that, strengthening governance in the second term will vigorously implement the people first agenda. “We will continue to priotise the interest of ordinary people and to also promote equal opportunity, as well as attract investment to our State
