Kebbi: Foodstuffs, catering materials supply gulp N2.7bn in 2024

By Aminu Abubakar

A review of the Kebbi State budget performance document for 2024, by SolaceBase has shown that the state spent N2.703 billion on foodstuffs/catering materials supply in the year.

This development is even as the state budgeted a sum of N3.7 billion for foodstuffs and catering materials supply in the year.

Further review of the budget performance shows that refreshments and meals cost N219.234 million, and honorarium and sitting allowances cost N1.333 billion.

While Kebbi State spent N2.7 billion on foodstuffs/catering materials supply, it only recorded N11.174 billion internally as revenue.

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This would mean that the state spent 24.3% of its revenue generated internally on foodstuffs.

These expenditures are more than what the state spent on capital expenditure for the Ministry of Water resources.

In 2024, the capital expenditure of the water ministry stood at N1.041 billion which is less than what was spent on foodstuffs despite the lack of access to sanitary facilities and clean drinking water by the state.

Only N937.7 million was spent on the capital expenditure of the Primary Healthcare Development Agency in the state.

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The state battles with Cholera, as of November 2024, no fewer than twenty-four were said to have died from the ailment across ten local government areas of Kebbi State.

In Kebbi State 79% of households are said to lack access to sanitary facilities, with another 68% lacking access to clean drinking water.

There are 1.91 million poor persons in Kebbi State.

While the state spent N703.4 million on the capital expenditures of the Ministry of Digital Economy, N2.7 billion was spent on foodstuffs and catering materials supply.

Rehabilitation of water facilities gulped N2.2 billion, and rehabilitation/repairs of public schools stood at N2 billion, which is less than what was spent on foodstuffs and catering materials supply. Rehabilitation of hospitals/health centres stood at N443.395 million, and rehabilitation/repairs of electricity stood at N455.400 million.

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The state also only spent N1.8 billion on the capital expenditure of the Ministry of Humanitarian and Empowerment.

There have been concerns over states’ priority spending and expenditures in the face of the need for development.

For instance domestically, as of September 30, 2024, Kebbi state owes N15.342 billion.

In 2024, Kebbi State spent N5.1 billion on public debt charges.

Issues of access to healthcare remain rife in Kebbi state, for instance, according to UNICEF, an estimated 30 newborns and 100 children under five years of age die daily in Kebbi State.

This development on N2.7 billion expenditure on foodstuffs also comes amid several promises by state governments to ensure a cut in the cost of governance.