Despite Zamfara State being one of the poorest states in Nigeria, the government has allocated a staggering N19.3 billion for the purchase of kitchen and canteen equipment in its 2024 budget.
This figure surpasses the allocations for all other sectors except road construction, which received a higher funding. In contrast, public education, a critical need in the state, is budgeted at only N6.1 billion.
The budget for water facilities is set at N8.4 billion, while the provision for airports and aerodromes stands at N8 billion.
Health infrastructure is particularly underfunded, with just N1.7 billion allocated for hospitals and health centers. This prioritization of kitchen equipment is notable given the severe socio-economic challenges faced by Zamfara.
The state grapples with a 13.7% unemployment rate and a 41.7% underemployment rate, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
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The multidimensional poverty index reveals that 1.8 million residents live in poverty, with 44% of children unable to attend school, 79% lacking access to sanitary facilities, and 51% without clean drinking water.
Similarly, the Ministry of Health’s capital budget for 2024 is N20.6 billion, slightly more than the kitchen equipment budget, while the Ministry of Women and Social Development receives N3.4 billion and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is allocated N5.7 billion, both significantly less than the kitchen equipment allocation.
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