Sokoto governor signs 2016 budget into law, vows to prosecute looters

The Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Wednesday signed the 2016 appropriation bill into law with a pledge to fully implement the budget for the benefit of the citizens of the state.

Speaking at an event to commemorate the signing in Sokoto, Mr. Tambuwal said considering the precarious financial situation the country is facing, all avenues of leakages will be block.

“Let me say it here that any attempt to embezzle the little resources we have will not be tolerated. We are giving the issue of internal revenue generation all the seriousness it deserves. Any government official found dipping his or her hand in the tilt will be dismissed and prosecuted,” the governor said.

While commending the state legislature for the expeditious manner it handled the budget proceedings, Mr. Tambuwal called for the support of the people in achieving the laudable objectives set in the budget.

Earlier in his remarks, the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Salihu Maidaji, said the total sum of the budget, N174 billion, as presented by the governor in December, was not altered.

He however said that changes were made to sectoral allocations to emphasise areas of priorities.

He said the 2016 budgeting process was more inclusive, participatory and transparent as it had active input of development partners and civil society organisations.