We Have Been Shortchanged In The 2021 Budget, As North East Govs Demand For Review

Daily Metro News NG

The Governors in the North East region of the country have expressed their dismay in its allocation in the 2021 budget, they said despite the challenges of development, especially the infrastructural deficit in the region, the 2021 proposed Federal Government budget makes provision for only N45.32bn capital projects in the sub-region.

The 2021 budget proposal by President Muhammadu Buhari, regrettably represent a paltry 0.35% of the proposed N13.02 trillion.

In a communique issued by the forum at the end of their 3rd meeting in Yola, Adamawa state capital, hosted by Governor Ahmad Fintiri, the governors alleged that the North East region has been shortchanged.

They therefore demanded review of the 2021 budget in the spirit of equity and inclusion by the National Assembly.

The Governors have mandated the Northeast caucuses of both the Senate and House of Representative to take immediate actions to address the imbalance.

The forum also alleged that the sub-region has being unfairly treated in the provision of roads infrastructure by the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing.

The Governors further noted with dismay, the slow or outright non-existent progress on the pace of the roads already allocated in the sub-region, calling for immediate reactivation and review of the comatose existing road contracts in the sub-region.

They expressed disappointment over the lack of budgetary provision in respect of the Mambilla Hydro Project in the 2021 budgetary proposals by the President.

Governors who were present at the forum meeting include Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state alongside his colleagues in Gombe, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, Borno, Governor Babagana Zulum, and host Governor, Ahmed Fintiri.

Taraba and Yobe states Governors were represented by their Deputies.

In the adjournment of the meeting, Bauchi State has being selected to host the fourth edition of the meeting of the Northeast Governors Forum (NEGF) scheduled for 3rd- 4th of March, 2021.