Dear participants, ladies and gentlemen, we thank God Almighty who has made this moment a reality. That we are all here today as part of this significant event is not by our power, but the grace and mercy of God.

The Head of Administration’s speech has touched on the essence of our coming here, and I would like to enjoin you all to take this task of making a workable Year 2025 budget for the Council with all seriousness and dedication. In this period of serious economic difficulties, it would amount to a waste of very scarce public resources, if this important document of governance is riddled with avoidable errors and incorrect figures arising from our shortcomings.

Permit me to take you in brief through the Year 2024 Approved Budget figures of the Council, which its lifespan will end by the close of the Year.

However, we can all testify to the fact that, Year 2024 is one of the most difficult years in the history of our dear nation, Nigeria. It is a year in which the country witnessed an unprecedented economic downturn characterized by hyper-inflation, violent criminal activities, outright fuel subsidy removal etc. Under the above circumstances, the possibility of a good budgetary performance is almost negative. Despite this, due to prudent and well-articulated policies of ours, we managed to earn N7,156,218,608.00 (representing 27%) of our Total Revenue Projection as at September 2024. Similarly, our corresponding Actual Total Expenditure for the same period stands at N6,604,607,665.00 (representing 20%) of Budget Figure.

Ladies and gentlemen, without much good economic forecast for the nation in the coming year, I had directed that the Year 2025 Budget Proposal should be made as portable and moderate as possible using realistic economic indices. I do believe the Budget Office and all concerned officers had taken note of this instruction, while preparing the document at hand.

Therefore, as we go through the draft budget document before us, I enjoin you all to be conscious of the focus of my Administration to complete all ongoing projects without much ado, though few critical new projects may be undertaken depending on the state of Council’s income.

Let me also remind you all that our success in the coming year will greatly depend on our commitment to the budget goals AND objectives. I therefore urge you to devout yourself to this assignment and enjoy the cool harmattan weather of Kaduna as well.

On this note, I declare this Budget Retreat open, in the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

In the light of the Executive Chairman Abaji Area Council speech: The HOD Administration Abaji Area Council, Mr Ajoze Sumaila Shuaibu stated that, I am strongly convinced of the necessity of supporting our able chairman to reform and improve council budget system as this is one of the best things a social minded government can pursue.

Furthermore, He stated that much is expected of us by the citizens of Abaji Area Council in putting together a detailed budget policy which will transform the local economy and their socio-economic wellbeing.
Abaji Area Council has the least income and source of income amongst the six FCT Area Council, yet while most sister Area Council’s are currently unable to to undertake a retreat for their respective budget policy consideration because of the very difficult economic situation of the country, our articulated leader has gone out of his way to make sure ours hold, while he urge the participants to respectively give the Executive Chairman a laudable standing ovation for his wonderful performance.

PC Gidi Balugi

Abu Nigeria CPS to the Executive Chairman AAC ✌️