Zakari Haruna, Kaduna
The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Right Honorable Jibril Ismail Falgore, has officially opened a two-day workshop on the development of the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The event, held from August 30th to 31st, 2024 in Kaduna, is focused on shaping the fiscal future of Kano State over the next three years.
In his opening remarks, Speaker Falgore expressed gratitude to Allah for the opportunity to participate in this vital exercise. He commended his fellow lawmakers, particularly those on the House's Standing Committee on Appropriations, for their commitment, as well as the State Ministry of Planning and Budget for its collaboration.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in supporting this important initiative.
"I wish to extend my profound gratitude to the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of the Civil Service, members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, our untiring development partners, CSOs, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders who have made it possible for us to converge here," Falgore said.
The workshop aims to review the 2024 half-year budget performance report and develop the MTEF for the 2025-2027 fiscal plan, including providing indicative resource projections for the 2025 Kano State Budget. This marks the beginning of a critical phase in the state's budget process, which is expected to guide economic planning and spending for the next three years.
Speaker Falgore stressed the importance of enhanced revenue generation, urging participants, particularly those from revenue-generating Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), to intensify their efforts.
He highlighted the economic challenges posed by the removal of fuel subsidies, insecurity affecting agricultural productivity, and the impact of deteriorating exchange rates on the state's economy.
"I wish to call on the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) and all other revenue-generating MDAs to brace up and meet the required revenue targets," Falgore stated.
"On our part as legislators, we will also employ drastic measures through our various standing committees to block all revenue leakages in the state."
The Speaker who warned that any MDA found responsible for revenue leakages would face consequences, noted that the workshop would consider the economic consequences of subsidy removal, high inflation rates, and other macroeconomic factors in making revenue projections for the state.
Falgore called on the participants to leverage their expertise to develop a realistic and credible fiscal plan that aligns with Kano State's economic realities. He also praised the efforts of the State Government and relevant stakeholders in producing a framework that will guide the 2025-2027 budget preparations.
"I believe our gathering here today will provide a great opportunity for peer learning, technical guidance, and possible advice from relevant stakeholders, development partners, and our resource persons," he remarked.
Speaker Falgore expressed confidence that the workshop's deliberations would be intellectually stimulating and lead to implementable resource forecasts. He reiterated the House's commitment to passing the 2025 budget in line with the MTEF projections.
The Speaker concluded by declaring the workshop officially open, expressing hope for successful deliberations that will set the state on a path toward sustainable economic growth and development.
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