The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, yesterday became emotional towards the end of his yearly budget presentation to the State House of Assembly and broke down in tears as he lamented the havoc wreaked on the state by the Boko Haram Islamist sect.
He however, expressed optimism that Borno shall rise again, as he said that his government was determined to end the insecurity which had crippled social and business activities in the state.
“Surely, Borno shall rise again,” he said.
Shettima said that he was deeply pained by the insecurity that has engulfed the state, pointing out that the government was doing everything possible to improve the lives of the people even with the little resources at its disposal.
“It is my fervent prayer and hope that this problem ends soon.”
The governor said the N184.3bn budget proposal, tagged Budget of Collective Renaissance, is aimed at stimulating growth, recovery and development of all segments through conscious, scientific and consultative approach to create new ways of reviving the economy of the state.
The budget is composed of recurrent expenditure of N52.1bn and N132.1bn for capital expenditure; and it is to be financed from statutory allocation from the Federation Account of N108.7bn and Internally-Generated Revenue of N30.1bn.
He pledged that his government would continue to be prudent, transparent and accountable in the management of scarce resources.