Budget: Borno’s 2021 successes & 20 key targets in 2022

image

BY PROF. BABAGANA UMARA ZULUM, NOVEMBER 30, 2021 | 02:08 PM


PROTOCOLS

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of the Borno State House of Assembly, it is a great honour for me to address this hallowed chamber on the occasion of the 2022 Budget presentation.

Mr. Speaker, as we already know, we have four budget presentations to make in this tenure of office. We made our first budget presentation at the end of 2019, the second in 2020, and we are here for the third, out of four. I recalled these just to remind us that while four years may look long, a four-year tenure is actually short. We have limited time to make impact, and as such, every day should count towards discharging our obligations as leaders and servants of the people.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, it is common knowledge that within the last twelve years, our dear state of Borno has faced the biggest challenges compared to any state in Nigeria.

In October 2019, we held our first Executive Council retreat in Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area. We did not go to Damasak for showmanship. We wanted to remind and expose ourselves to the colossal destruction and acute humanitarian crisis facing Borno State. It was also a reminder of the fact that we had not even one day to waste. We as holders of public office in Borno State do not have the luxury of time due to the enormity of the challenges facing us.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, some of us tend to mistake the flights arriving Maiduguri daily, the busy roads and markets, the beautiful flyover and other infrastructure as the main realities of Borno. We are grateful to God for all these, but they do not reflect the bitter reality of life beyond our state capital, Maiduguri. Maiduguri too has been without electricity for months as a result of insurgent attacks. In our local government areas, the situation is much worse. From Northern Borno to many parts of the Central and Southern Borno, our fellow citizens live and wake up unsure of their next meal. Many live in camps that none of us would wish for our immediate families. Many of these citizens lost their families, homes and means of livelihood. Some were wealthy 12 years ago but have been turned to paupers as a result of these crises. Thousands of our fellow citizens are currently IDPs in Niger Republic. Some are in Cameroon; still others are in Chad while thousands of others are scattered all over Nigeria. All of these are the realities Borno State faces and it is the shared responsibility of every one of us holding public office to contribute towards fixing the state and supporting our homeless brothers and sisters who need the most basic of things, namely safety, shelter, food, water, healthcare, education and means of livelihood.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, Borno State has seen the worst forms of inhumanity, but Alhamdulillah, we are seeing signs that Insha’Allah, the worst is now over. We should remember that our emerging peace, even though amidst challenges, is a product of struggle, commitment and sincere effort in the last 10 years.

Since 2011, our political leaders at the presidential and state levels, our royal fathers and elders repeatedly called on Boko Haram insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace. We continued to make this call when this administration took over in 2019. We even declared statewide fasting on two occasions; many citizens within and outside Borno State heeded our calls by fasting and offering prayers for peace to return to the state and Nigeria. In 2021, Allah in His infinite wisdom created the basis for insurgents to disagree amongst themselves. Thousands of insurgents of the Boko Haram faction laid down their arms and embraced peace. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, we need Allah’s guidance and the utmost wisdom to work for an end to the crisis facing our dear state. Prosecuting all the criminals would have been most appropriate but if we insist on it, we would discourage others out there that are willing to lay down their arms. The terrorists’ ranks could swell and our innocent fellow citizens, particularly those in local government areas, could become more vulnerable to attacks and abductions. While we recognize that Borno State is still facing security challenges, our de-radicalization measures do not mean that any insurgent can kill today, surrender tomorrow and walk away scot free. Those who are willing to surrender, must from now on stop further attacks on civilians, security agents and facilities.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the mass surrender of insurgents is a God-sent opportunity that can at least reduce the ranks of violent criminals. However, we will never forget the feelings of those who have lost loved ones, lost their homes, lost their communities and lost their means of livelihood. We must approach our peace-building efforts with extreme caution by working in line with the 16 resolutions reached on August 29, 2021, when we convened a multi-stakeholder security town-hall meeting, which critically reviewed and adopted guidelines for us to approach the surrender of insurgents. I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, that all processes are being led by security forces. We are ensuring disarmament, stringent profiling and other key measures that should evaluate and guarantee the usefulness and integrity of the de-radicalization process. So far, none of the surrendered insurgents has been reintegrated. We are fully abiding by the procedures advocated at the August security town-hall meeting.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, while we utilize non-kinetic approach, we will not relent on combat. We are tirelessly supporting our gallant soldiers, airmen, sailors, policemen, DSS, and para-military with whatever they reasonably need from us, towards preventive and counter response measures.

We are continuously mobilizing and supporting thousands of selfless and determined youths, men and women in the Civilian JTF, and even older men who are hunters and vigilantes, as they make sacrifices by going to battlefields day and night, and holding forth in communities, in order to safeguard the people of Borno State.

Many of these Civilian JTF fighters, hunters and vigilantes have lost their lives fighting for Borno’s peace. Insha’Allah, we plan to reward their priceless sacrifice by educating the children they left behind, and by supporting their widows through a programme we plan to launch in January, Insha’Allah.

In the meantime, I am happy to report to this exalted house that with the efforts of these volunteers, with the bigger role of our military and other armed forces, and with the continued surrender of hundreds of insurgents, our brothers and sisters in local government areas were able to return to some level of economic normalcy in the year 2021. Many farmers were able to safely access their farmlands, which made Borno State to record a significant level of farming activities this year. The relative peace we enjoyed was key in our ability to build on projects recorded in previous years, which brings us to more than 556 capital projects from 2019 to date.

Mr. Speaker, since the inception of this administration, we had set our focus on reconstruction of public facilities and private homes destroyed during the years of conflict, rehabilitation of victims and the safe resettlement of those Internally Displaced and those taking refuge in neighbouring countries.

​​I am pleased to inform you, Mr. Speaker, that in 2021, we were able to build new homes and rebuilt communities inside which, we have resettled our brothers and sisters at Auno in Konduga, Cross Kauwa in Kukawa, Shuwari in Jere and Ajiri in Mafa, among others. These resettlements made it possible for us to shut down three camps in Maiduguri, namely: BOCOLIS, NYSC and Farm Centre IDP Camps.

Apart from those internally displaced, we were able to voluntarily repatriate our fellow citizens from more than 5,000 households who took refuge for seven years in Minawao, Cameroon. These citizens were safely resettled in 1,153 houses sited in Banki town of Bama local government area.

Mr. Speaker, the reopening of Bama-Banki road is a milestone achievement.

During my visit to Banki last month, I was so amazed to have witnessed the return of exciting social and commercial night-life to that commercial border town.

Apart from Banki, we have commenced the process of repatriating over 100,000 fellow citizens from Abadam and Mobbar Local Government Areas taking refuge at Bosso in Diffa Region of Niger Republic. We are working towards rehabilitating and providing more shelters for these our brothers and sisters, for their safe return to Malam-Fatori, bi-iznillah.

Permit me to recall that earlier on, we fixed November 27 for resettlement in Malam-Fatori. However, the plan was not realized due to some unanticipated reasons. Nevertheless, we are determined to, insha’Allah, work towards realizing a safe and dignified resettlement in Malam-Fatori.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, we plan to by the end of December 2021, close down all official IDP Camps within MMC and Jere. However, no IDP will be forced to leave Maiduguri or any part of the state. As a matter of responsibility, we will accord livelihood support to anyone willing to safely and productively live anywhere, including in Maiduguri.

The fact is that from what we have seen, keeping IDP camps open will only perpetuate a cycle that is without end. For instance, despite resettlement efforts, the population of some IDP camps is actually growing, not by the coming of more IDPs but by hundreds of child births in the camps. No parent would wish to have his or her child raised in IDP camps. We cannot allow undignified IDP camps with so many social vices, become what our fellow citizens would consider permanent homes, for which they would lose their God-given productive capabilities, to entirely depend on food aid that is not sustainable in the long run. IDPs deserve to be resettled with dignity. They deserve dignified means of livelihood and to safely raise their children with access to quality and affordable healthcare, good sanitation and education. ​​​ Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, while focusing on resettling our displaced brothers and sisters, we shall not lose sight of tackling other multi-sectoral challenges in the day to day lives of Borno people.

As I cited during my 2021 Democracy Day broadcast, of all governments in Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, Borno State government is faced with the biggest humanitarian crisis, funding the highest number of volunteers involved in security operations, supporting the armed forces, maintaining hundreds of security vehicles and rebuilding destroyed communities. Yet, we were faced with poor internally generated revenue due to a decade of crises, in the midst of a drop in national revenue.

Foreign and national stakeholders who evaluated the impact of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State concluded that the state suffered destruction worth about six billion US dollars. At prevailing exchange rate, more than two trillion naira is required to fully fix Borno State.

Amidst this need, Mr. Speaker, Nigeria is currently dealing with a high inflation rate, partly due to global impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The cost of providing all public services is now as much as 100% higher in some cases, particularly on construction items, procurement of machinery and consumables for healthcare and water services. On the other hand, revenue accruing to states has dropped due to global fall in oil prices, except for the most recent rebound.

Our options in Borno State were either to increase our locally generated revenue or resort to options like retrenching workers and reviewing subsidies government provides in making our hospitals and schools largely free. With our peculiar humanitarian crisis however, in which majority of workers have to support displaced relatives, we could not employ the retrenchment option. For the same reason, we also could not turn our public schools and hospitals into revenue generators.

We instead took the option of introducing some taxes which are far less than what obtains in many states, from our comparative analysis. We also blocked leakages and strengthened our revenue generating establishments with bold targets.

We introduced and implemented the Borno State Harmonized Revenue Law 2020 which made Borno State Internal Revenue Service to become the single collector of public sector revenue in the State. Through this reform, BO-IRS has so far collected N13 billion as at November 2021. This sum exceeded its 2021 revenue target by N4.2 billion. I expect this trend to continue and I am keeping a close watch on it. We expect by December, our total revenue generation based on the Treasury Single Account [TSA] will Insha’ Allah hit between 15 to 16 billion naira. Increased revenue in 2021 improved our economic situation and made us able to address some of our numerous challenges in the course of implementing the 2021 budget.

REVIEW OF 2021 FISCAL YEAR ​​Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, permit me to start this review by once again placing on record my profound gratitude to this House for your immeasurable support and without compromising your independence. The mutual respect, inter-dependence and checks and balances that exist in our democracy is a clear testimony of leadership acumen, political astuteness and genuine commitment of Mr. Speaker, principal officers and all honourable members of this House. ​​Mr. Speaker, in the 2021 fiscal year we were able to substantially implement key policies and programmes encapsulated in the budget and in line with our 10-Pact Agenda, our 25-Year Development Framework and 10-Year Strategic Transformation Plan.

The 2021 Appropriation Act which was tagged “The People’s Budget of Recovery and Consolidation” was for a total of N248,392,616,000, after it was revised. Capital budget was N179,261,364,000 while recurrent expenditure was N69,131,252,000. ​ Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, our 2021 Budget was anchored on the Federal Government’s Fiscal forecast for 2021 – 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) as well as enhanced targets for accountable governance within the State Government’s Development Plan. It was based on a benchmark crude oil price of $40 dollars per barrel, crude oil production of 1.8 million barrels per day, inflation rate of 12.4% and exchange rate of N360 naira to a dollar. ​ Although some of the projections and set targets were subjected to forces beyond our control, our fiscal responsibility measures and meticulous implementation strategy enabled us to record appreciable progress. Progress was achieved through combination of efforts by civil servants, political appointees and special committees. For instance, the following Committees were constituted for special tasks: -

(i) Committee on Clearing of Waterways in the Lake Chad Region, specifically the general area of Baga;

(ii) High Powered Committee on Verification of Private Schools in Borno State;

(iii) High Powered Committee on Biometric Data Capture and Verification of Secondary School Teachers in the State; (iv)​Borno State Transition Committee for the Absorption of Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP), State Education Programme Investment Project (SEPIP) and Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) (World Bank Funded Projects) into Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) – Projects for the Lake Chad Additional Financing Project (PROLAC AF); (v) Committee on Needs Assessment in Education and Health Sectors;

(vi) Committee on Relocation of Internally Displaced Persons [IDPs] to Malam Fatori Community, Abadam Local Government Area;

(vii) High Powered Committee for the Control of Cholera Outbreak in the State;

(viii) Organizing Committee for a Multi-Stakeholders Security Town-hall meeting on prevailing Security Situation in Borno State.

Broadly speaking, the administration recorded progress in the year 2021 as I shall be discussing under the following sectors and sub-sectors:

SECURITY Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I started this address with an overview of our security situation, which is Borno State’s topmost area of concern.

Government has approved the procurement of nine Armoured Personnel Carriers for donation to the Nigeria Police Force, three of which arrived in 2021, with more expected. Government also released over two billion naira to assist in paying the monthly allowances of CJTF, Hunters, Vigilantes and other groups as part of its counter insurgency measures.

In 2021, the State Government through the Security Trust Fund and other MDAs provided over 200 Toyota Hilux Vehicles to security operatives across the State, as well as surveillance cameras, Binoculars and other working kits. The fund also provided financial assistance to families of heroes and heroines who paid the supreme price battling insurgents to secure Borno people.

RECONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, closely related to our security situation is the reconstruction of communities as well as safe and dignified resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons and refugees. I had in my opening remarks, given an overview of our resettlement work in progress. Seven communities, namely Banki, Doron-Baga, Wulgo, Mallam-bukarti, Cross kauwa, Mairari and Shuwari were resettled in 2021. With these, a total of 18 communities and 27 hamlets were resettled from 2019 to date, across Borno State.

Government constructed about 9,500 houses, which comprise 1,000 houses at Dalori, 1,020 houses at Kaleri, 500 houses at Ajiri, 300 houses at Chibok, 500 houses at Molai, 580 houses at Auno, 300 houses at Ngamdu, 500 houses at Damboa and 200 houses at Mairari in Guzamala among others. We are currently constructing 1,000 houses in Monguno, 300 in Warabe of Gwoza, 500 in Gajiganna of Magumeri, 500 at Nguro Soye of Bama, 300 at Rumirgo of Askira Uba and 300 at Miringa in Biu. In addition, Government has carried out other works that include municipal buildings, public rest rooms, shops and perimeter wall fences in Banki, Ngala, Damboa and Pulka in Gwoza among others.

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in the course of attacking communities, Boko Haram severely destroyed educational facilities. This was not surprising since their ideology was to kill Western education. Government in 2021 continued its prioritization of education. In the year under review, Government completed six units of Mega Schools, each with sixty classrooms and ultra-modern facilities. These schools are located at Jimtilo in Konduga, Goni Kachallari in Jere, Gwange I, Gwange II and Shehuri in MMC. Also completed were 10 units of Mega schools, each with 30 classrooms, at Zannari, Ajilari, Old Maiduguri, Pulka in Gwoza, Mbalala in Chibok, Wuyo in Bayo, Gubio, Buratai in Biu, Benisheikh in Kaga and Askira in Askira Uba.

Four schools with 20 classrooms were also built in Yimirthalang, Kwaya Kusar; Gumsuri in Damboa, Kukurupu and Sakwa East in Hawul, Maiduguri and Zabarmari. In summary, 20 new schools made up of 16 Mega Schools and four lesser-sized schools were established. 39 existing schools were completely rehabilitated while 432 classrooms and 242 wash facilities were constructed in 48 schools.

During the period under review, Government also procured chemicals and reagents for schools and provided 2 sets of uniforms and laboratory coats to students of all newly established Technical Colleges in the State. Government also cleared all outstanding examination fees of Borno State candidates for 2021 NECO, WAEC and NBTEB and also procured science text books for about 200,000 secondary school students.

800 teachers of mathematics, English and core science subjects were recruited, trained and deployed to secondary schools in the year 2021.

In the Higher Education Sector, the State Government has funded the take-off of Federal Polytechnic, Monguno. I must recognize the role of our National Assembly members in establishing and supporting that Polytechnic. Higher Islamic schools were also established in Monguno, Biu and Gubio.

Government has also approved the payment of scholarship to 15,354 students studying in Higher Institutions across the country, amounting to N476.64 million. Government also released N205.67 million as financial support to over 100 students studying abroad. The State Government also provided N22.5 million to Law School students and N54.500 million to Resident Doctors respectively.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in the area of Vocational Training being supervised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Government has commenced the training of 540 students (20 from each of the 27 Local Government Areas) at the new Borno State Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Muna, while 800 women were also trained under the CISCO internet networking programme. Another training of 250 persons is ongoing at Vocational Training Centre in Dikwa, while another is ongoing in Mafoni. Phases one of vocational training centres in Mafa and Magumeri have been completed. Meanwhile, we are happy to acknowledge that State Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Muna, which was commissioned by Mr. President, is considered one of the best in Nigeria.

As part of maintaining quality assurance at our higher institutions, Government has provided for the accreditation of programmes at Umar ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Science and Technology, Bama; Sir Kashim Ibrahim College of Education, Maiduguri and College of Education, Waka-Biu. At the Borno State University [BOSU] landmark projects were commissioned by the President, Commander-in-Chief during his state visit in June, this year. Meanwhile, the State University has recruited academic staff to ensure high quality teaching and learning.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in the year under review, basic education and special schools recorded progress. The Government sustained its regular payment of counterpart fund to the Universal Basic Education Commission as matching grants for the Borno State Universal Basic Education Board. Under Basic Education development, 92 classrooms, offices, stores and toilets were constructed while 239 classrooms were rehabilitated and remodelled in addition to getting 14,667 units of 2-seater- desks. The Board also distributed Covid-19 equipment to 300 schools across the State. ​The State Education Trust Fund has also contributed positively to the provision and rehabilitation of educational infrastructure across the State. The fund has constructed and rehabilitated 217 classrooms. It has constructed 9 admin blocks, 4 laboratories, 4 examination halls and has fenced 11 schools.

The fund has also sponsored 1,105 students to study at Federal Government College, Maiduguri; Federal Government Girls College, Monguno; Federal Government College, Azare; Federal Government Girls College, Yola; Federal Government Girls College, Bauchi; Federal Government Girls College, Potiskum; Federal Government Girls College, Bajoga and Federal Government College, Billiri. These sponsored students are largely orphans and children of vulnerable parents and those from educationally disadvantaged Local Government Areas. The fund also awarded teaching contracts to 50 qualified retired teachers.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, one critical sector that received Government’s priority attention in 2021 is Health and Human Services Development. Government has as part of human capital development in the Health sector awarded the contract for the construction of four (4) Departments, namely: General Outpatient, Accident and Emergency, Maternity and General Services at the Borno State University Teaching Hospital which is under construction. Government also approved the upgrading of General Hospitals in Monguno and Biu to the status of Specialist Hospitals and renovation of General Hospitals.

To ensure our health centres continue to function effectively, forty-one (41) medical doctors and two hundred and forty-one (241) nurses, midwives and other health workers were recruited in 2021. A combined total of Six hundred and seventy-six (676) medical workers have so far been recruited from 2019 to date, which increased public access to healthcare services.

Government has approved construction of additional Doctors’ Quarters to address the shortage of residential accommodation facing Doctors and other health professionals in the State. To this effect, government will soon complete and commission new quarters that will accommodate 84 Doctors. The project is sited in Maiduguri, while we are building other units of quarters for different categories of health workers, some of which have been completed.

I am also happy to announce that we have approved the bridging of remuneration gap between medical doctors in Borno State and their Federal Government counterparts, with effect from January 2022. For many years, some of our doctors eagerly move to Federal Hospitals because of higher remuneration. Now Borno pays the same remuneration as Federal Health institutions.

​Under the State’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Government has undertaken the construction of twenty (20) Primary Healthcare Centres and Clinics which have been fully furnished. Primary Healthcare Centres at Abbaganaram and Gwange I, were commissioned by Mr. President. Similar PHC’s were established in Buratai, Kawuri, Gwange II and Jajeri.

As part of proactive healthcare measures, immunization programmes against preventable diseases received Government attention. In collaboration with Bill and Melinda Gates and Dangote Foundations, Government strengthened routine immunization in the State through the timely payment of counterpart fund and implementation of actions. ​

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, Borno State Contributory Health Care Agency, established by this administration, has fully taken-off and would ensure the provision of effective, efficient, affordable and equitable healthcare through sustainable Healthcare funding.

​In the year 2021, Government strengthened the Drugs Revolving Fund (DRF) Scheme through the procurement of drugs and other essential hospital consumables and equipment. In the same vein, during the year under review, Government continued with its policy of training and retraining of Doctors and Health professionals to increase their reliability and productivity.

ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE ​Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, since the inception of this administration, Government has accorded high priority to road construction.

​With our progress in 2021, Government through the Ministry of Works and Borno State Roads Maintenance Agency (BORMA) has so far constructed 24 new roads and rehabilitated 18 existing roads across the state, from 2019 to date.

One of our flagship projects, Borno’s first flyover with dualized expressway around the Customs round-about, is already at completion stage. So is the critical Damboa-Chibok road. Roads and drainages were constructed at Benisheikh and Jiddari Polo.

Borno State Roads Maintenance Agency has also constructed and rehabilitated over 20kms of roads within the Metropolis. The agency is currently constructing roads and drainages in Askira, Mafa, Wulari ward and Goni Adam Street in Maiduguri, Benisheikh and Shani.

TRANSPORT AND MASS TRANSIT Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in an effort to ease the hardship of commuters and other road users, this administration has established the Borno State Traffic Management Agency (BOTMA) which will employ hundreds of people for traffic management. Before then, 300 youths were recruited as special marshals for revenue collection in the year 2021. Also in the year under review, Government procured 90 buses to stimulate the Borno Express Transport Corporation. Government also distributed 40 cars for human empowerment. Government renovated the Borno Express Terminus along Kano Road and constructed 21 Urban Mass Bus Stop Terminals within the State Capital. Government also sustained its free school buses programme.

HOUSING AND ENERGY In the Housing sector, Government has in the period under review, increased funding for the ongoing construction of 500 housing units along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway which has recorded progress. Government is constructing 24 units of two and one-bedroom houses adjacent to GSM market at Bulumkutu ward in the Metropolis.

On Energy, the provision of electricity to rural areas was accorded priority in the year 2021. Government procured 1,500 steel poles for the reconstruction of 33KV Mafa-Dikwa-Gamboru/Ngala and Bama-Gwoza power lines. Government also procured Fifty-Three (53) transformers which were installed in various locations within MMC, Jere and Konduga LGAs. Government is electrifying Konduga town while Government is working hard to restore power supply to Maiduguri. Government has also procured two (2) caterpillar generating sets to supply electricity to Dikwa and Mafa towns.

​RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS As part of Government’s responsibility to support citizens’ rights to religious worship, Government has freshly constructed, rehabilitated and reconstructed destroyed places of worship in Ajiri, Wamdeyo, Shaffa, Biu, Ngom, Azare, Dusman, Kalari Limanti Ward, Fikeyel, and Mairi among others.

ENVIRONMENT Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, during the year under review, Government undertook the construction of drainages across the State to prevent flooding and desilting of drainage channels for uninterrupted flow of rain water. Among these was the desilting of over 10km of drainage within the State Capital and the construction of drains at Lassa, Bulabulin Ngarnam, Uvu and Dala Alhamduri, among other places. The establishment of woodlots, orchards at Magumeri, Kaga, Konduga and Askira-Uba Local Government Areas totalling over 141 hectares was also completed to prevent desert encroachment. In addition, Government has implemented flood and erosion control measures at Ngamdu, Briyel Tashan tipper and Kusheri along river Ngadda. During the period under review, Government reactivated annual tree planting campaign by raising over 30 million tree seedlings through collaboration with the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project [NEWMAP], which is a World Bank assisted project, and the Great Green Wall Project. Collaboration between the state and NEWMAP gave birth to broad based community development projects across the State. Government also completed a modern Waste disposal unit at Zajiri ward of the Metropolis.

WATER RESOURCES ​Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, in the year under review, Government sustained its attention to the provision of potable water for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes. In the year 2021, Government sustained its aggressive effort towards improving water supply. We have from 2019 to date, drilled 179 new boreholes and rehabilitated 545 others, and these figures are only for the Ministry of Water Resources and RUWASSA. The Ministry of Agriculture has drilled about 600 boreholes for irrigation while more boreholes have been drilled in schools by the State Universal Basic Education Board. Government also released funds for the procurement of water treatment chemicals, diesel and other requirements for the running of the Maiduguri water treatment plant, Alau raw water pumping station and boreholes within and outside the State Capital.

In addition, Government in its effort to maintain uninterrupted water supply to the people, maintained its upgraded water works ‘B’ facility at the Ramat Polytechnic and the facility at Alamduri. Government procured and installed pumps at Yerwa, CBN Quarters, Kasuwan Gwoza, Gubio road junction, Bulumkuttu, Abuja Dala Alhamduri, among others.

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, related to water supply is Agriculture. Government in the year 2021 established over 30,000 hectares of Mega farms sited in eleven (11) Local Government Areas. Crops of comparative advantage such as Maize, Groundnut, Millet, Cowpea and Sesame seeds were cultivated. Government during the period, drilled 600 boreholes for irrigation farmers and distributed water pumps alongside other agricultural inputs to irrigation farmers in Baga, Konduga and Bama. Government also distributed input to irrigation farmers in Mobbar, Bayo and Dikwa, and to firgi farmers in Gwoza, Mafa, Bama and Dikwa LGAs. And to boost production of fruits in the State, Government budded over 1,500 mango seedlings and distributed to farmers. Government has recently launched the distribution of dry season inputs to 1,750 farmers in three LGAs located in Southern Borno. We intend to soon extend the programme to the north and central senatorial zones.

ANIMAL RESOURCES AND FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT In the Animal and Fisheries Sector, Government undertook renovation of the International Fish Market along Baga Road in Maiduguri to provide conducive environment for teeming fish sellers and buyers in the State. With Borno State being the largest producer of livestock in the country, the state Government keyed into the Federal Government’s RUGA programme with RUGA farms established in Gubio, Mafa and Askira/Uba Local Government Areas. In the area of Poultry Production, Government completed the installation of battery cages at the Poultry Production Unit and also resuscitated the dormant Feed Mill. Installation of hatchery and incubators is nearing completion.

INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL DUTIES Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, through the Border Community Development Agency, the Ministry of Inter-Governmental Affairs and Special Duties was able to facilitate the construction of maternity clinics in Gamboru/Ngala, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Askira/Uba Local Government Areas, while Shops, Stores and Toilets were constructed in Tashan Alade of Hawul Local Government Area.

The Ministry also facilitated the transportation of Relief Materials from various Customs Warehouses for support to IDPs.

As part of our resettlement drive, the Ministry of Inter-Governmental Affairs and Special Duties hosted an interactive session with critical stakeholders in border communities through collaboration with the National Boundary Commission. It also hosted the Local Bilateral Committee (LBC) meeting for border cooperation of Borno/Yobe States and Diffa Region, organised by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in partnership with Borno State Government and the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for Co-operation (NNJC). The meeting promoted trans-border cooperation between Communities.

WOMEN AFFAIRS, POVERTY ALLEVIATION, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT ​Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, three ministries under these very critical areas drove our human empowerment and social reforms.

On Women Affairs and Social Development, Government undertook the construction of an Integrated Women Empowerment Centre for the training of widows and vulnerable women at Budum. Government embarked on family tracing of children displaced by insurgents and reunited them with their families. The ministry also drives the state’s deradicalization, rehabilitation programme following stringent measures in the handling of insurgents, through active collaboration with the Nigerian military. Government also provided support to mentally and physically challenged persons through human capacity development training and provision of psychosocial assistance.

On Youth Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation, Government, in the year 2021, continued its laudable programme of combating political thuggery and street begging through conditional cash support to 28,000 youths who have given up thuggery and to physically challenged persons staying out of begging on the streets. Over N656 million was spent in supporting Deaf, Blind and other physically challenged fellow citizens. A total of 21,830 fellow citizens were assisted in 2021, bringing to 36,632, the total persons assisted from 2019 to date. Government also undertook payment of financial grants to displaced and vulnerable persons in Damasak, Gwoza, Dikwa, Ngala, Mobbar and Chibok as part of social intervention to improve livelihoods.

In the area of Sports Development, the State Government has continued to provide the necessary support to the El-Kanemi Warriors to compete very well in the Nigeria Premier League. Government has been prompt in paying enhanced monthly allowances to players and technical members of the Club. The State Government consistently funded the Club’s Home and Away matches at designated centres across the nation. BORNO STATE GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING BOARD In January, 2021, we constituted the recently established Borno State Guidance and Counselling Board for the overall goal of generating diverse and multisectoral employment opportunities for our mass unemployed youths especially at the federal level. Since inception, the Board has facilitated the recruitment of about one thousand (1,000) suitably qualified Borno State indigenes into various Federal Government Agencies namely the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Defence Academy, Nigeria Military School, Zaria, Federal Universities, Federal Polytechnics, Federal Colleges of Education and some MDA’s.

TRADE, INVESTMENT AND TOURISM Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, this year we made deliberate efforts to boost our local economy, especially through the construction of markets, shopping complexes and provision of enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

In the year 2021, Government commenced the construction of the Mairi Modern Market and Vehicle terminal and undertook the construction and rehabilitation of markets at Kwaya-Kusar, Damboa, Banki, Jere and Mafa. The State Government through the Borno Investment Company also resuscitated the Borno Plastic Company (BOPLAS), Borno Supply Company (BOSCO), Neital Shoe Company (NEITAL) and Borno Hotels Limited. Hundreds of small and medium scale entrepreneurs were also provided with subsidized loans to the tune of over N2 Billion Naira to stimulate their businesses and economies in our communities. HOME AFFAIRS, INFORMATION AND CULTURE Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, this ministry has the responsibility of educating, interpreting and informing the Borno public about government policies and programmes. The sector was enabled in 2021, through Government’s procurement of Audio processor and Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) battery for 20 Kilowatts Band for the Borno Radio Television (BRTV). The procurement of single channel large and small Radio and qualitative Audio accessories to BRTV has boosted the quality of its coverage. Government also settled the fees that BRTV owed the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).

THE LEGISLATURE Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, the Borno State House of Assembly and the Borno State House of Assembly Service Commission, which received appropriate funding, were in the year 2021 instrumental to all the successes recorded by this Administration. The Legislature was supportive of the Executive Arm through timely but scrutinized passages of Executive Bills and other requests which enabled us to implement key policies and programmes.

JUDICIARY AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ​Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, quick dispensation of Justice has been accorded top most priority by the present administration. In 2021, the Ministry of Justice received 240 cases of Homicide, Robbery and Sexual Gender Violence (SGV) cases and secured 84 convictions in addition to legal advice and vetting of contractual agreements from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). To enhance judicial functions, the State Government in 2021, renovated 10 Courts at the High Court complex, Gidan Madara and equipped them with modern ICT facilities. The court was also fenced and gated while the state Chief Judge’s Chamber was also provided with modern ICT equipment.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the performance of the 2021 budget which I enumerated, was largely due to the crucial roles played by different categories of civil servants in Ministries, Boards, Agencies and parastatals. The civil service is the engine room of Government. As such, its continued productivity, training and welfare are paramount. Although I do not consider this an achievement, I am reporting to this house that from January 2021 to date, Government has been consistent on monthly payment of salaries and pensions, mostly before 26th of every month. Government has continued to pay monthly allowance of NYSC members posted to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and payment of augmentation during Orientation Camp.

On gratuities of retired workers, which has been a major issue for more than 20 years, this administration took a bold decision of sourcing a bank loan of N12 Billion to drastically reduce liabilities of gratuities owed retired civil servants. The money was disbursed accordingly.

The Office of the Head of Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance has from January 2021 to date paid 1,781 pensioners their gratuity, while 665 retired civil servants were enlisted through the automatic migration from salary to pension payment. The State Government is determined to ensure that all outstanding liabilities owed retirees are fully settled.

As at October 2021, all families of deceased civil servants who were not receiving benefits, have been enrolled into Government’s pay system.

Borno State Government has from 2019 to date, released about N20 billion to reduce backlog of unpaid gratuities and other claims of retired civil servants owed for more than a decade. Additionally, Government releases N150 million every month to settle gratuities on sustainable basis.

Government also undertook the renovation of the Musa Usman Secretariat to enhance working environment, and also renovated the Staff Clinic and the International Conference Centre.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, it is gratifying to inform you also, that the multi billion Naira Borno House in Abuja, which is a seven-storey edifice with basement and parking lots among other facilities, is now completed and handed over to us. This landmark with symbolic significance, will Insha’Allah enhance the revenue base of our State. I will like to remind us that the administration led by my boss, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima began and largely funded that project. We continued and ensured its completion. I will like to say that Insha’Allah, I will complete all projects initiated by HE Kashim Shettima, especially since he also completed some projects he inherited in 2011, after initiating and completing numerous projects before leaving office in May, 2019.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, under the general administration, the Borno State Audit Service Commission was established in 2021.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2022 BUDGET Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, the 2022 budget of “HOPE FOR POST-CONFLICT STABILITY”, aims at accelerating our ongoing reconstruction of destroyed communities for safe and dignified resettlements, provision of livelihoods and social support to citizens, and ensuring the completion of ongoing projects.

​We also intend to introduce some key policies and programmes on different sectors. Amongst hundreds of other targets, we aim to achieve the following 20 key deliverables from the 2022 budget:

  1. We plan to complete and commission the Borno State University Teaching Hospital, insha’Allah. The Commissioner for Health should keep track of our female doctors trained in Sudan, to consider them for employment at the Teaching Hospital.

  2. We plan to recruit 1,000 health workers in the year 2022.

  3. We plan to implement N30,000 minimum wage for qualified primary school teachers.

  4. We plan to recruit 3,000 qualified teachers in the year 2022.

  5. Mr. Speaker, according to findings, workers in private hospitals and schools earn less than those in public hospitals and schools. However, while those in private hospitals and schools are dedicated, those in public ones are less so. The singular reason why the private sector performs better is the presence of diligent supervision. In view of the foregoing, insha’Allah, by January 2022, we plan to set up effective Monitoring and Evaluation Teams starting with Healthcare, Water and Schools (HWS). These M & E Teams, which will be made up of vibrant graduates with IT skills, especially amongst Special Assistants, will be assembled under the coordination of the Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation. Phone numbers and WhatsApp lines will be made available to citizens so that they can freely file complaints and send photos relating to problems associated with Healthcare services, including where citizens are extorted; on boreholes which are not functional; and on public schools where teachers fail to appear during the teaching schedules.

  6. We plan to introduce Borno School Defense Volunteers under the coordination of the Special Adviser on Security. The School Volunteers will be drawn from resident volunteers who are dedicated and will be given specialized training on securing schools. They will be provided with uniforms, kits, patrol vehicles and surveillance equipment to enhance safe learning environments across Borno State. Although emphasis will be on deploying School-Volunteers outside cities, deployment will also be made to schools in cities so that the volunteers protect public assets in all schools. They will be empowered to arrest and hand-over to the police, anyone caught trying to steal or damage any public asset in schools, including consumables used in laboratories.

  7. We plan to launch BORNO HEROES’ SUPPORT PROGRAMME. This programme involves the setting up of a Government team that will identify primary and secondary school-aged orphans of volunteers in the CJTF, hunters and volunteers who died during battles. Government will give these orphans scholarships to Federal Government Colleges and international schools. The programme is to be in phases with a pilot phase of 500 orphans.

• Another component of the BORNO HEROES’ SUPPORT PROGRAMME is needs assessment of widows left behind by deceased volunteers. Government will allocate required support to these widows for sustainable livelihoods.

  1. We plan to re-establish all closed-down secondary schools in all safe and resettled communities, starting with Dikwa, Monguno and some others.

  2. We plan to establish six Centres of Excellence. On this, we will identify two existing secondary schools in each senatorial zone and massively transform them into Centres of Excellence in the year 2022.

  3. We plan to rehabilitate the College of Education, Waka, Biu.

  4. We plan to establish an all-women Vocational Training Institute. At that Institute, the Director and heads of departments at that institute will all be women so that women in superior offices can protect the virtue of women-trainees. Men should only serve as instructors. Our hope is for the all-female Institute to introduce short-term certificate courses on numerous businesses that women engage in so as to attract their enrolment for programmes that can last a month or two on different vocations, after which participants can get certificates and start-up support.

  5. We plan to establish more Higher Islamic Colleges in Gamboru-Ngala, Malam-Fatori, Damboa and Kwayakusar.

  6. We plan to rebuild and resettle Malam-Fatori and Gudumbali and undertake major infrastructural works in Kala-Balge.

  7. We plan to systematically address generational scourge of political thuggery by preventing families from inheriting such practices. Government will identify and award scholarships to 150 children of political youths in ECOMOG but with a condition that all beneficiaries must sign binding commitments of giving up thuggery and they must show sign in their conducts before they can recommend their dependents to benefit.

  8. We plan to start implementing reforms of the Sangaya/Almajiri system by establishing a regulatory agency.

  9. We plan to engage 1,000 youths from Biu and 1000 youths from Gwoza, Monguno and Bama into an empowerment programme.

  10. We plan to dualize the post office road.

  11. We also plan that we will be able to open and renovate Maiduguri-Damboa road.

  12. We plan to introduce a new mass transit and bring in 500 Keke NAPEP in January, 2022.

  13. We plan to continue our city expansion policy.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, Maiduguri is home to citizens from all our 27 local government areas as well as Nigerians from other parts of the country and foreign nationals. Maiduguri is over-populated due to forced migration. The implication is over stretching of schools, medical services, water, business spaces and multiplying number of vehicles on roads. However, Government is gradually developing some towns surrounding Maiduguri from all axis. We are citing developmental projects to link Maiduguri-Auno and Benisheikh from the Damaturu axis; to link Maiduguri and Dalori-Konduga from Bama axis; to link Maiduguri and Mafa from Dikwa axis; to link Maiduguri and Magumeri from Gubio axis and to link Maiduguri-Mulai from Damboa/Biu axis.

I will like to place on record here, that my most recent predecessors, their excellencies late Mala Kachalla, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and my boss, Senator Kashim Shettima have in their bold initiatives, sited projects in all corners of Maiduguri. We are building on these projects by developing the nearest towns surrounding Maiduguri from all corners. The idea is to discourage migration of residents of these nearby towns to Maiduguri. Our hope is that in the nearest future, people who work and do businesses in Maiduguri would find it convenient to live in Auno, Magumeri, Mafa, Dalori/Konduga and beyond Mulai.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, to achieve our overall objectives, we propose the sum of N267,921,484,000.00 for the 2022 fiscal year made of N172,535,634,000.00 for capital expenditure and N95,385,850,000.00 for recurrent expenditure.

The budget will be financed from Recurrent Revenue of N113,839,901,000 which will comprise FAAC Revenue of N48,215,985,000, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N34,534,704,000, Value Added Tax of N20, 716, 973,000, and other Federation Account sources of N10,372,239,000.

The budget will also be financed by Capital Receipts of N154,081,583,000 comprising loans and grants. ​​The 2022 Budget is based on the Federal Government’s Fiscal forecast for 2022 – 2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework which in our own case, is based on anticipated increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) during the 2022 fiscal year. ​ The 2022 budget is predicated on the following: (i) World Bank Eligibility Criteria (E.C) on States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS), programme for results (PforR) (ii) Expected Statutory revenue of the Federal Government. (iii) Improved Local Revenue Collection as a result of fiscal governance and relative improvement in the security challenges facing the State. (iv) Proposed crude oil price benchmark of US $57/barrel. (v) Crude oil production of 1.88 Million barrels per day. (vi) Inflation rate of 13%. (vii) Exchange rate of N410.15 per US dollar.

SECTORAL ALLOCATION Mr Speaker, Honourable members, although details and entire estimates of the 2022 budget will be laid here with your permission, I will like to highlight some proposed allocations for the 2022 budget to sectors.

BORNO STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND ​The fund is one of the Statutory Boards created by this Administration to address security challenges bedevilling the State. It also provides funds for acquisition and deployment of security equipment across the State. In 2022, the Fund intends to support both security agencies and voluntary security outfits; train and retrain security personnel across the State.

​The sum of N3,297,000,000.00 has been allocated to the Board for both capital and recurrent expenditure in the 2022 fiscal year.

MINISTRY OF RECONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT ​In the year 2022, provision of infrastructure at Abadam, Guzamala, Kukawa and other towns will, Insha’Allah be accelerated as part of our resettlement programme. Government plans to sustain the reconstruction of municipal buildings, and restore critical public services in communities affected by insurgent attacks. In addition, Government plans to rehabilitate Government Estates such as Bakasi and Teachers Village while resettlement homes will be built in Kwaya Kusar, Dikwa, Malamfatori, Logumane, Gajibo, Gudumbali, Dalwa, Darajamal, Ngurosoye, Kirawa, Maiwa, Ashigashiya towns amongst others.

To undertake its statutory mandate during the 2022 fiscal year, a total sum of N23,801,595,000.00 has been allocated to it for both recurrent and capital expenditures. The figure represents 8.8% of the budget size.

EDUCATION In 2022, the ministry of education plans to establish three (3) additional Technical Secondary Schools (one each in the three Senatorial zones), establish Higher Islamic Colleges at Abadam, Ngala and Damboa Local Government Areas, establish more Science Secondary Schools, construct new teachers’ quarters and renovate existing ones in Secondary Schools. Government also plans to construct structures at Galadima area for Second Chance Girl-Child education, among others.

On Basic education, the Borno State Universal Basic Education intends to construct and rehabilitate schools in the 27 Local Government Areas and plans massive training and retraining of primary and junior secondary schools teachers, amongst other plans.

On teaching, the Borno State Teaching Service Board plans to sustain its responsibility of recruiting teachers and administering their training, posting, promotion, discipline and welfare.

On Higher Education, Government plans to construct Information and Communication Technology (ICT) institutions in each of three (3) Senatorial Districts and equip 22 laboratories in Government Secondary Schools across the State. Government plans to also provide workshop tools for Technical School, Damboa, construct and install solar energy systems in Schools across the State. Government plans to get courses of all Tertiary Institutions in the State accredited by relevant federal regulators. Government also intends to ensure all existing nine vocational training centres become re-equipped and functional.

Consequently the combine sector of education is allocated the sum of N38,069,877,000.00 for both recurrent and capital expenditures for the 2022 fiscal year. The amount, which represent 20.22% of the budget size comprise N11,602,110,000 for the ministry of education; N13, 933,224,000 for Higher Education, N18,533,600,000 for the State Universal Basic Education Board and N4, 666,800 for Borno State Teaching Service Board.

Details of the budget contain allocations to the Education Trust Fund, our eight tertiary institutions, the scholarship board and other education-related establishments.

​ HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Ministry of Health and Human Services is responsible for the formulation and implementation of health policies and programmes as well as training and retraining of medical personnel in the State. Government in the year 2022 intends to complete the Borno State University Teaching Hospital, renovation of General Hospitals across the State and the upgrade one general in each senatorial zone to a specialist status. Government also plans to construct more Primary Health Centres across the State; increase medical personnel, procure more medical equipment to ensure all health centres are fully functional.

On primary healthcare, the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA) is saddled with the mandate of coordinating the activities of Primary Healthcare in the State and to ensure the provision of qualitative Primary Health Care service delivery to the citizenry towards the implementation of primary healthcare under one roof.

On contributory health, the Borno State Contributory healthcare management agency intends to establish two (2) Zonal Offices at Monguno for Northern Borno; and in Biu for Southern Borno in the 2022 fiscal year. Also, in the coming month, the agency will commence the distribution of N500m to Primary Healthcare Centres.

The combine sum of N24,274,696,000.00 is allocated to the health sector for both recurrent and capital expenditures for the 2022 fiscal year. This amount represents 9.06% of the budget size and it combines the sum of N6,701,710,000 to the ministry of health and N8,657,305,000 to the Hospitals Management Board. There are other allocations to five other establishments under the health sector as contained in details of the budget.

MINISTTRY OF HOUSING AND ENERGY ​The statutory responsibility of the Ministry of Housing and Energy is to increase public access to affordable housing, and electricity. In 2022, Government intends to complete the ongoing 500 housing units adjacent the State University, and the 24 units of houses near the GSM village on Kano road. Government also plans to undertake the electrification of three rural areas in each of the three (3) Senatorial Districts, and the provision of electricity to communities in Gwoza, Dikwa, Monguno and Ngala. Government also intends to provide renewable energy to rural areas and sustain the maintenance of relief substations. The sum of N8,788,172,000.00 has been allocated for both capital and recurrent expenditures.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE, BUDGET AND ECONOMIC PLANNING

The Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning is charged with the responsibility of ensuring prudent management of public funds in the State. The Ministry plans to sustain prompt payment of monthly salaries, timely and effective collection of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by the Board of Internal Revenue. Government also plans to embark on the purchase of utility vehicles for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, computerization and Internet networking of the Ministry of Finance Office complex among others.

Accordingly, the sum of N30,460,940,000.00 has been allocated for both capital and recurrent expenditures in the 2022 fiscal year. I will like to explain that the high figure here is due to our plan to substantially pay gratuities of retired workers through the ministry of finance.

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES In the year 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources intends to procure agricultural implements and machinery and sustain ongoing programmes such as Rural Rapid Agricultural Development aimed at strengthening small holder farmers on irrigation and rain-fed cropping programmes, with particular focus on resettled IDPs who critically need food security. Government plans to distribute inputs to at least 100,000 rain fed and dry season farmers across the state. Government also plans to build on our laid down partnership with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, BADEA, particularly to boost local production and export of Gum Arabic by farmers in Borno State. The sum of N10,423,978,000.00 is allocated for the ministry to undertake its laudable policies and programmes in the year 2022.

MINISTRY OF ANIMAL RESOURCES AND FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT The Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries Development is charged with implementing Government policies relating to animal health care and welfare services and harnessing our vast potentials in the livestock and fisheries sector. The ministry provides animal healthcare services, routine vaccination and treatment of livestock and other animal diseases.

As part of livestock sector development, Government in 2022, plans to construct at least one major livestock project in each of the 10 Federal Constituencies across the State. Government also intends to embark on the construction of more pest and disease control centres, purchase operational vehicles, remodel the Maiduguri Diary Plant and embark on a State-wide vaccination campaign across the 27 Local Government Areas, among others. To enable the Ministry execute these projects and programmes, N1,970,249,000.00 has been allocated to it for both capital and recurrent expenditures for the 2022 fiscal year.

WATER SUPPLY The Ministry of Water Resources is charged with providing portable water for both human and animal consumption. In 2022, Government plans to sustain efforts on increasing public access to water supply across the State by the maintenance of water plants, the drilling and rehabilitation of many boreholes especially in liberated communities at which essential services such as water sources, were destroyed by insurgents. We plan to seriously ensure the functionality of boreholes especially in rural areas and low-income urban communities.

On Rural Water Supply, the Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RUWASSA) plans to sustain its critical role of increase access to water, sanitation and hygiene services for rural communities across the State.

The combine sum of N10,657,004,000.00 has been allocated to the Water sector, comprising N4,516, 814,000 to the Ministry of Water Resources and N6,140,190,000 for both recurrent and capital expenditures for the 2022 fiscal year.

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT The Ministry of Environment designs and implements Government’s environmental policies to prevent and respond to environmental challenges resulting from desertification, deforestation, wind, water erosion and issues of sanitation. The Ministry is also charged with constructing drainage channels across the State to avert flooding. In the 2022 fiscal year, Government plans to purchase earthmoving equipment, design water ways and construct refuse collection centres in our most populated centres of Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere Local Government Area, and target to plant four million trees for environmental protection, among others.

To enable the Ministry execute these projects, the sum of N4,006,980,000.00 has been allocated for both recurrent and capital expenditures in the 2022 fiscal year.

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, INFORMATION AND CULTURE Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture is the mouth piece and image maker of the Government, and it is in charge of the state fire service. In 2022, the Ministry plans to purchase publicity vans, procure digitization equipment for the Borno Radio and Television (BRTV) and construct Fire Service Zonal Stations, establish more centres in the metropolis, and recruit more fire fighters, among others. The ministry also plans a campaign on social orientation, deradicalization and reintegration and the promotion of Borno’s culture and tradition.

Relatedly, the Borno State Council for Arts and Culture intends to construct a befitting Cultural Centre, purchase operational vehicles and remodel the Borno State Museum.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Cultures is allocated the sum of N1,408,276,000.00 has been allocated to the ministry for both recurrent and capital expenditures in the 2022 fiscal year. MINISTRY OF INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL DUTIES The Ministry undertakes special tasks assigned to it by Government, which includes supervising the provision of infrastructural development in border communities and dealings with federal establishments on multisectoral programmes and partnership interventions which often require Government paying counterpart funds.

In 2022, Government plans to release N4b fund of AUDA-WEPAD for the activities of small holder farmers in all the 27 Local Government Areas. Government will also release counterpart funding of N-Cares to YESSO, and sustain transportation of relief items from Customs warehouses.

The sum of N4,942,910,000.00 has been allocated to the ministry for both capital and recurrent expenditures in the 2022 fiscal year.

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE Ministry of Justice is a service Ministry charged with handling legal matters for and on behalf of the Government. It is also involved with drafting and vetting of executive Bills, Contract agreements, legal instruments, receiving and treating of petitions from the general public. In 2022, Government proposes to renovate Courts in Local Government areas across the State, renovate the Ministry’s Zonal Offices and construct Office for the Prerogative of Mercy.

To enable the Ministry undertake its activities and projects, the sum of N2,691,214,000.00 has been allocated for both capital and recurrent expenditures.

MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND EMIRATE AFFAIRS ​In the 2022 fiscal year, Government intends to, among other programmes, construct and rehabilitate palaces of our royal fathers who play crucial roles in civil authority restoration. The sum of N404,665,000.00 is allocated to the Ministry for both recurrent and capital expenditures.

MINISTRY OF POVERTY ALLEVIATION The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation is statutorily mandated to develop economic and human empowerment policies and programmes to fight poverty and increase self-employment opportunities especially for physically challenged and the less privileged. For the ministry to sustain its critical role in the 2022 fiscal year, it has been allocated the sum of N4,247,060,000.00 for both capital and recurrent expenditures.

MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS Ministry of Religious Affairs is charged with overseeing and regulating religious practices with a view to supporting citizens’ right to religious freedom, under an atmosphere of peace and inter-faith harmony. In the 2022 fiscal year, Government intends to fund the reform of Sangaya educational system through a regulatory agency. Government will also construct and reconstruct more places of worship and teaching.

For the Ministry to effectively undertake its programmes, the sum of N2,291,801,000.00 has been allocated for the 2022 fiscal year.

MINISTRY OF TRADE, INVESTMENT AND TOURISM Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism is statutorily responsible for the promotion of economic growth, formulation of commercial policies and programmes of the State and Local Governments for the development of trade, investment and tourism. In the year 2022, Government intends to construct modern markets in Banki, Dikwa and Baga, construct dry-land container station for easy delivery of goods and reconstruct all destroyed hotels in the major Local Government Areas. To execute all these, N6,263,549,000.00 has been allocated to the Ministry for both recurrent and capital expenditures for the 2022 fiscal year.

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT Ministry of Transport regulates transport businesses to increase public access to safe and affordable means of intra and inter-State travels, while also generating revenue for the State Government. In the 2022 fiscal year, Government intends to undertake complete rehabilitation of the Kano Motor Park and market, construct additional Trailer Park along Gamboru-Ngala road to decongest the area, purchase electronic scanners for heavy duty vehicles at Jimtilo Park to check influx of prohibited goods into the town, purchase some buses for mass transit, and add 500 Keke NAPEP into the mass transport system in Maiduguri, among others. Government also plans to procure Pickup vans for goods services from Jimtilo Trailer Park to the metropolis.

On mass transport, the Borno Express Transport Corporation, in the 2022 fiscal year, intends to purchase more Mass transit buses, repair old ones and upgrade the corporation’s workshop unit, among others.

For the Ministry of Transport to execute these projects, the sum of N4,448,663,000.00 has been allocated for both recurrent and capital expenditures for the 2022 fiscal year.

WORKS ​The Ministry of works is charged with the responsibility of constructing and rehabilitating roads, bridges, drainages and related infrastructure. In the 2022 fiscal year, the Ministry intends to undertake the following: • Undertake phase II of Damboa-Chibok-Mbalala road • Construct roads and drainages within Askira township • Construct roads within Benisheikh township • Construct roads in Askira, Benisheikh and Ngala • Construct road from Askira to Ngohi Mr Speaker, Honourable members, Maiduguri currently hosts more than half the population of Borno State and this impacts on infrastructure needs. The Ministry of works will in 2022, work on the following roads within the metropolis: • Shehu Sanda Kura Road from El-Kanemi Round-about to Monday Market Round-about (470m), Mogoram road (947m) with a bridge and Lafiya road • Construct roads and drainages from Gambole road through Tafawa Balewa road and Cemetery Road linking Al-Amin Daggash roundabout • Construct road and drainage along Kinshasa road • Construct dual carriage way from Kano road to new trailer park at Auno • Construct road from Flour Mills junction to connect the 3km road being constructed by EEC International Nigeria Limited at Goni Damgari • Rehabilitate roads and drainages in three streets within Polo GRA, namely: Abatcha Ngala street, Asheik Khurso Bashir street and spur road to link Polo dual carriageway. Similarly, the Borno State Roads Maintenance Agency (BORMA) plans to construct and rehabilitate roads and drainages in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Biu, Monguno, Konduga, Chibok, Shani, Bayo and Ngala Local Government Areas among others.

The combine sum of N22,979,544,000.00 has been allocated to the works sector. This amount which represents 11.40% of the budget size, comprise the allocation of N12,269,300,000 to the Ministry of Works and N10,710,244,000 to BORMA, for capital and recurrent expenditures in the 2022 fiscal year.

MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Ministry of Women affairs and Social Development supports activities concerning women, children, especially unaccompanied and vulnerable orphans and others with social needs. With our peculiar challenge of insurgency, the ministry is now playing a lead role in our deradicalization and reintegration programme with focus on repentant insurgents. In the 2022 fiscal year, Government plans to sustain policies and programmes aimed at enhancing the welfare of women, widows, orphans, vulnerable children and ongoing deradicalization programme. Importantly also, Government plans to design a social intervention programme that will support hundreds of women and youths and the less privilege for thousands of youths not only through the ministry of women affairs but also through ministries of poverty and youths empowerment. Meanwhile, the sum of N2,312,386,000.00 has been allocated to the Ministry of Women Affairs for both recurrent and capital expenditures.

MINISTRY OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND SPORTS Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Sports facilitates economic and social development of youths, and it develops and implements Government policies and programmes on sports. In the 2022 fiscal year, Government intends to rehabilitate existing sporting facilities, purchase more sporting equipment, and sustain economic programmes across the state.

The sum of N3,229,749,000.00 has been allocated to the ministry for both capital and recurrent expenditures.

AUDIT The Audit sector comprise offices of the State Auditor General, Local Government Auditor General and the audit service commission. These significant offices are differently saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring prudent utilization of resources by the state government and local government areas, and the administration of audit staff. The sum of N315,255,000 for office of the State Auditor General; N638,025,000 for office of Local Government Auditor General and N55,318,000 for the audit service commission, all for the 2022 fiscal year.

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE Governor’s Office is composed of three main components: the Government House and offices of the Secretary to the state Government and the Head of Service. The Government House is the seat of Government and it handles major interventions especially unforeseen ones, on matters of security. Government House hosts a number of security personnel and caters for their allowances. It maintains most of Government lodges and caters for hundreds of VIP visitors. In 2022, the Government, in addition to sustaining its routine activities, plans to construct new Government lodges and renovate existing ones. Government House plans to procure hundreds of surveillance vehicles for security interventions and provide logistics for special security operations to meet demands of the military and volunteers. The Deputy Governor’s office, the state emergency management agency, the pilgrims welfare board and the Bureau for Public Procurement are in the first part of the Governor’s office.

The two other components of Governor’s office comprise Offices of the Secretary to the State Government and the Head of Service. The two offices differently oversee, coordinate and supervise General Administration, Political, Cabinet, civil service and pension matters. This part of the Governor’s office oversees our liaison offices in Abuja and Lagos, the state pensions department and the local government pensions boards. In the year 2022, the Governor’s Office proposes to complete ongoing renovation of the Musa Usman Secretariat and the procurement of operational vehicles, among others. Office of the Head of Service plans training for 2,000 Civil Servants to better service delivery.

For the three components of the Governor’s Office to carry out their proposed activities in the 2022 fiscal year, the following sums are allocated:

Governor’s office - N18,671,862,000 Office of Secretary to the State Government- N9,076,518,000 Office of the Head of Service- N4,108,801,000.

BORNO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY Borno State House of Assembly is the legislative arm of Government and is charged with the responsibility of making and amending laws as well as oversighting the activities of Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Boards. Relatedly, the Borno State House of Assembly Service Commission is responsible for the recruitment, deployment, promotion and discipline of house of assembly staff.
For the assembly to undertake its function effectively, the sum of N5,638,726,000.00 has been allocated to it for both recurrent and capital expenditures in the 2022 fiscal year. That amount include the sum of N595,873,000 for the Borno State House of Assembly Service Commission.

BORNO STATE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICE (BOGIS) BOGIS is charged with reforming land administration in Borno State. In 2022, the Agency intends to procure state-of-the-art Geographic Information System (GIS) equipment and survey instruments. The agency also plans to construct second and third phases of ultra-modern mechanics’ village, and new shopping complexes across the State.
For BOGIS to effectively carryout its functions in the 2022 fiscal year, the sum of N2,623,468,000.00 has been allocated for its capital and recurrent expenditures.

BORNO STATE URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD In the year 2022, the Board intends to do street naming and house numbering in Maiduguri. The board also plans to review the Maiduguri Master Plan and prepare regional Plan for some Local Government Areas.

To enable the Urban Planning and Development Board execute its projects, the sum of N486,650,000.00 has been allocated for both capital and recurrent expenditures.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE COMMISSION Local Government Service Commission is responsible for the recruitment, deployment, transfer, promotion and discipline of all Local Government Staff on GL.07 and above.
Government in the year 2022 intends to embark on the renovation and furnishing of offices, purchase of logistic vehicles, interlocking and landscaping of the premises of the Commission and also construct an auditorium room. For the Commission to execute these functions, the sum of N569,869,000.00 has been allocated for both capital and recurrent expenditures.

BORNO SATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION ​Borno State Independent Electoral Commission is statutorily responsible for organising, undertaking and supervising all elections into Local Government Councils in the State. In 2022, the Commission proposes to conduct Local Government elections. ​The sum of N895,315,000.00 has been allocated to the commission for both capital and recurrent expenditures. Mr Speaker, Permit me to stop the highlights at this point. All other allocations are contained in the full details of the budget to be laid before this esteemed house.

CONCLUSION ​Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, in the over two years that I have had the privilege to lead Borno State, I have had occasions to take some tough and unpopular decisions. I have had to fire some people from their jobs. Firing people from their jobs is not a pleasant thing to do and it did not give me any joy. I was once the Rector at Ramat Polytechnic and I would love to do things there that make me popular. My suspending the Polytechnic’s management was not a pleasant decision and some people will bear personal grudges against me. I could be more popular if I allow officials to continue to do as they wish. I can also gain a lot of cheap popularity if I encourage ECOMOG to continue to operate, brandish my posters and keep saying ‘Sai Zulum.’

Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, for us as politicians, whether career or accidental, popularity is sweet. But then, Mr. Speaker, on May 29, 2019, I took an oath to serve the people of Borno State with the fear of Allah. I am human and I make mistakes. But to the best of my ability, I consider the fear of Allah and the highest interest of Borno State and its people before I take any decision. In my two and a half years as Governor of Borno State, I live, wake up and go to sleep every day remembering that I can die at any time. If and when that happens, I will surely account before the Almighty God for the decisions I make.

I beseech all of us to remember at every turn that Borno State is not its usual self. Things are different. Our society has suffered and our people are suffering. We all have obligations to give our best of the best to move Borno State forward.

It is my hope, Mr. Speaker, Honourable members that you will speedily consider and approve this budget with the same spirit that we all share. It is my solemn pledge that insha’Allah, we shall work assiduously and prudently to ensure that we implement the 2022 budget for the good of Borno State, for humanity, for posterity and to the greater glory of God.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I thank you for your hospitality and support and look forward to us signing the budget into law as I now lay before you, our proposed 2022 budget of “HOPE FOR POST-CONFLICT STABILITY”.

May God bless Borno State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


Appeal for support


Conflict Reporting is dangerous and risky. Our reporters constantly face life-threatening challenges, sometimes surviving ambushes, kidnap attempts and attacks by the whiskers as they travel and go into communities to get authentic and firsthand information. But we dare it every day, nonetheless, in order to keep you informed of the true situation of the victims, the trends in the conflicts and ultimately help in peace building processes. But these come at huge cost to us. We are therefore appealing to you to help our cause by donating to us through any of the following means. You can also donate working tools, which are even more primary to our work. We thank you sincerely as you help our cause.

Alternatively, you can also email us on info@yen.ng or message us
via +234 803 931 7767