The ravaging COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Katsina State government to reduce the 2020 budget of N240b by 30 per cent in line with the present economic realities.
The state commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Faruk Lawal Jobe told newsmen in Katsina on Thursday at the end of the meeting of the state executive council presided over by Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
He recalled that the federal government had reviewed its budget from oil benchmark of 57 dollars per barrel to 30 dollars per barrel.
Alhaji Lawal Jobe further disclosed that 30 percent of the state budget had been slashed, adding that from a balanced budget of over 240 billion Naira to over 215 billion Naira.
He said ”the reviewed budget would be funded with small interest loan from Central Bank and sale of bonds”
The Budget and Economic Planning commissioner announced that the reviewed budget will be taken to the state house of assembly for consideration and passage.
He also assured that the budget had been reviewed to accommodate the implementation of services as they affect infectious diseases
