Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Borno State governor, has signed the appropriation bill of N615,857,950 billion into law.
On December 9, 2024, the governor of the Northeastern state presented a budget estimate of N584.76 billion passed by the state assembly on December 24, which recorded a marginal increase of N31 billion after extensive deliberations by members of the House.
During a short ceremony held Monday in the Council Chamber of Government House, Governor Zulum signed off on the “Budget of Recovery and Continuity.” While doing so, he pledged to fulfil the unfinished projects he committed to during his 2023 campaign.
“This year is very important for me because I want to complete all promises I made during 2023 electioneering campaigns,” Zulum said.
Zulum tasked the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and members of the state executive council to adhere strictly to the provisions of the appropriation bill while presenting their memos for approval.
He also commended the leadership and members of the state’s House of Assembly for an early budget approval.
“We have to commend the leadership of the House of Assembly. We also have to commend the maturity of the house led by our able speaker, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan.
“This is very important because all the developmental strides achieved could not have been possible without the full support and cooperation the government received from the legislature.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Lawan, praised Governor Zulum for his exemplary leadership and the impactful projects executed across the state over the past six years.
Lawan highlighted that the upward adjustment of the appropriation bill was aimed at including essential, people-focused projects to be implemented by ministries, departments, and agencies.
In a related development, Governor Babagana Zulum has appointed Dr. Mustapha Mallumbe, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, as his Deputy Chief of Staff. This decision follows the ongoing absence of the Chief of Staff, Professor Hussaini Marte, who has been unwell for some time.
“I have appointed Dr. Babagana Mallumbe, who is also a cabinet member as Deputy Chief of Staff, to ensure that no vacuum is created. The current chief is expected to join us by the middle of this year,” Zulum stated.
