The Reason we allocated N13bn to SSG’s office – Plateau

The Plateau State Budget and Economic Planning Commissioner, Chrysanthus Dawam, has justified the distribution of funds in the state's 2024 budget across different sectors. Notably, the budget includes N13 billion for the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and a comparatively modest N100 million for the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies, which received the smallest allocation.

During a press meeting in Jos, Dawam detailed the budgetary allocations, highlighting N8.6 billion for the Government House and N10.14 billion for the legislative sector.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang approved the N314.8 billion budget for 2024 in December 2023, following its passage by the state legislature. The budget comprises N162 billion for recurrent expenses and N152 billion for capital expenditures.

Dawam remarked, “A modest amount of 100 million has been set aside for the Ministry of Tourism, which accounts for only 0.07% of the total budget, aimed at boosting tourism in the state."

He also mentioned that while the exact amount for security isn't specified due to its classified nature, the government's focus is on tackling the state's security issues and enhancing infrastructure and human capital within the limits of available resources.

Peter Lamba, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget, explained that the significant funding for the Secretary to the Government's Office is due to its role in coordinating numerous activities, including addressing the state's security challenges.

The budget breakdown further reveals significant allocations to various sectors: N12.04 billion to agriculture and rural development, N134.6 million to commerce and industry, N1.1 billion to information and communications, N7.02 billion to land and justice, N772 million to science and technology, N335.5 million to land and survey, N9.9 billion to housing and urban development, N10.4 billion to education, N5.4 billion to health, N15.3 billion to works and transport, and N1.3 billion to the women, youths, and sports sector.