Jonathan Presents N236.5b NDDC Budget To N/Assembly

Posted by admin Latest Politics, Legislature Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

President Goodluck Jonathan has submitted a budget proposal of N236.587 billion for the 2010 fiscal year for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the House of Representatives for approval.

The budget, which was contained in a letter to the Speaker of the House, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, and read at yesterday’s plenary by deputy speaker, Hon. Usman Bayero Nafada, represents an increase of 84.3 percent over the N128.496 billion budget for 2009.

The proposed budget is made up of personnel expenditure of N5,860.25 million, recurrent expenditure of N6,964.48 million, capital expenditure of N1,730.55 million and projects (development) expenditure of N222,032.11 million.

While urging the National Assembly to grant the request an expeditious consideration and approval, Jonathan noted that the submission of the budget proposal was in line with Section 18 (1) of the NDDC (Establishment) Act.

He said the expected sources of funding of the budget include N91, 582.63 million from revenue brought forward, N35,621.77 million from Federal Government contribution (submission by Mr. President), N9,012.99 million from Federal Government contribution (excess crude arrears), while contribution from oil companies is to yield N100 billion, with internally generated revenue pegged at N370 million.

Details of the budget showed that N36, 375 million has been earmarked for the construction of the nine-kilometre Arochukwu (Abia State)-Atan Onoyom (Cross River)-Itu River Bridge-Ekim Itam, while N600 million is for the construction of East-West road from Mbiama Junction to Igbogene, linking Bayelsa and to Rivers states.

N402.235 million was voted for the conversion of empty fruit bunch into fertilizer (biofuels), N304.5 million is for agricultural skills development training of 4,000 farmers in high income yielding agricultural enterprises at Songhai, Amukpe in Delta State, while N336,895 million was earmarked for agricultural extension services and support services in the entire region.

The NDDC Technical Aid Corp scheme is to gulp N1 billion, Burnt Brick Industry, Ndele, Rivers State was allocated N500 million while the production of glass in conjunction with Ghani Group from Pakistan was allocated N522,500 million.

Others include, N300 million for agricultural and farm implements’ assembly plant in partnership with Czech companies with N1.2 billion voted for mass transit phase two for the Niger Delta Region and the development of mechanic workshops and motor parks.wp_posts