ENUGU—A budget proposal of N32 billion has been packaged by Enugu State Government for the implementation of its programmes in year 2007 with the  completion of various infrastructural projects initiated by the out-going administration of Dr Chimaroke Nnamani  as a priority.

The estimate was presented to a consultative forum on the 2007 budget proposal organized by the state Ministry of Finance for the organized private sector,  non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations in Enugu yesterday.

The Finance Commissioner, Mr. Peter Mba, told the forum that the budget which is made up of N19.6 billion capital expenditure, N6.7 billion personnel cost and  N5.6 billion overhead and subvention to parastatals “will focus on completion of all on-going infrastructural development projects in the state.”

He listed the major projects which were in the education sub-sector to include Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) permanent site, ESUT  College of Medicine, equipment for the State College of Education – Technical, school meal plus programme, equipment for primary and secondary schools and  advancement of the state UBE programme.

According to the commissioner, other on-going projects to be completed under the package are the Loma Linda Housing project, urban water reform programme,  rehabilitation of Ajali Water Scheme, Nenwe Oduma/Okpanku Ndeabor road, Ozalla/Agbani dualization and 9th Mile bypass, the International Conference Centre  and development of tourism parks/sites.

He said that “pro-poor programmes” which the government intends to finance in the transition budget include granting of micro-credit to artisans, provisions of small  and medium enterprise (SME) centre services and granting of micro agric loans to farmers, adding that all reform institutions already established would be  strengthened.

The government, however, based the revenue forecast on revenue from oil projected at US$35 per barrel, improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) due to  Back duty assessment/audit, direct assessment and employment of tax administrators, as well as external loan and grants from development partners including the  DFID, PATH, SLGP, UNICEF, UNDP and SWR.

“Sustenance of the achievement of improved public expenditure management will form a focal part of the year 2007 budget,” Mba said, adding that this would “entail  budget reform process that enhances revenue administration, introduction of internationally accepted standard chart of accounts, budget tracking and improved  accountability.”