Bauchi State Government has slashed its 2020 approved budget from N167 billion to N128 billion.
It is doing so by cutting out all unnecessary expenditure and increasing allocation to public health issues, to take care of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The development was announced by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Aminu Gamawa, shortly after the weekly State Executive Council meeting.
He explained that with the fall in the price of crude oil, on which the 2020 Budget was initially based, the government has to look inward and see how it can keep governance and service delivery to the people moving.
The proposal for the review of the budget would be sent to the State House of Assembly for approval, after which the Governor will assent to it to become the legal framework for the state.
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On the issue of the new minimum wage, the Commissioner hinted that the status quo remains until a decision is taken.
He assured that the government will never abdicate its responsibility on payment of salaries and entitlements of civil servants as and when due.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)