Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Friday night signed into law the state’s 2017 appropriation bill of over N204.3 billion.
Speaking at the event, Tambuwal expressed delight at the timely passage of the budget document by the state House of Assembly.
He said now that it has become a law, its provisions will be diligently implemented for the benefit of the people of the state.
He said despite financial difficulties faced in the country last year, his administration did not falter in payment of entitlements to workers and pensioners.
“The Auditor-General for Local Governments is working to effect the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities of local government staff and we will bring it up to date as well,” he added.
Tambuwal also promised to ensure that the performance of the budget is better than that of 2016.
“The 2017 budget will be better than 2016 in terms of implementation, while even distribution of resources will be ensured. We will start new projects across the state, with much emphasis placed on rural areas,” he said.
In his remarks, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Salihu Maidaji, extolled the existing cordial relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government in the state.
He however stressed the need for improved internal revenue generation sequel to the dwindling oil revenues.
It will be recalled that Tambuwal had on December 29, 2016 presented the budget estimate of the state to the House of Assembly amounting to over N204.3 billion, with highest sectoral allocation of 27.3 percent to the education sector.

In another development, Governor Tambuwal has approved the dissolution of the management committee of Sokoto State Bard of Internal Revenue.
With this new directive, the former team, headed by Musa Muhammad Maccido, has been asked to hand over the affairs of the Board to the newly-appointed Interim Management Committee pending when a substantive board will be appointed.
A statement issued by the Sokoto State Commissioner of Finance, Saidu Umar, said other officers directed to vacate their posts and return to their mother ministries for reassignment are Muhammed Nasir Binji, Bashar Abdullahi, Abubakar Zaki Tambuwal, Hajiya Amina Sani and Wadata Umar.
Others include Muhammed Ahmed, Malami Ibn Labbo, Umar Mairiga and Badamasi Garba Giwa.
“In the same vein, the following persons have been appointed to serve as members of the interim management committee of the Sokoto State Board of Internal Revenue: Aminu Dalhatu (Head), Usman Sani Kasim, Usman Balarabe, Abubakar M. Labaran, Haruna Ibrahim, Habiba Abdulaziz, Bello Sodangi, Bala Ango Dogon Daji and Firdausi A. Chadi,” the statement added.
While urging the appointees to develop a holistic road map that will lead to the strengthening of the board, the statement said government will give all necessary support to the new team for optimum results.
It will be recalled that Tambuwal, at a recent budget stakeholders’ summit organized in collaboration with the Coalition of Non Governmental Organisations in Sokoto State, promised to reposition the internal revenue board for it to discharge its responsibilities diligently and efficiently.