By Demola Akinyemi

ILORIN—Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has presented the 2016 budget proposal of N116 billion to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed

The budget, tagged” Budget of Sustained Expansion,” which was presented on the floor of the House, showed a decrease of about N163 million of 1.3 per cent compared with 2015 budget.

The governor said that his administration was determined to improve internally generated revenue and reduce dependence on federal allocation, adding that the budget was prepared in line with economic reality in the country.

He however, said that tax administration would be strengthened to ensure that all eligible tax payers in the state perform their civic responsibility of paying taxes without burden on people.

He also said that his administration was committed to the provision of infrastructure for socio-economic development of the state, welfare of the people, adding that the budget was christened Budget of Sustained Expansion in order to implement programmes stalled by lack of funds in the outgoing year.

According to him, “The main objectives of the budget are: Revenue reforms that provide the fiscal space required for growth and stability of the state economy; Increase revenue and block leakages to free additional revenue required for the implementation of government programs and projects and Increase infrastructure development in order to boost socio-economic activities in the state through the completion of all ongoing projects in Health, Roads, Energy, Education, Water, Justice and to initiate new projects.”

He added that the Ilorin water reticulated project, started in 2006, would be completed next year to boost water supply in the area by 25 per cent.