I've taken my time to do a comparative analysis of budgets in the past and present, within the Kaduna State and across borders, my conclusion thus becomes simpler than I had thought, the proposed budget for 2020 is nothing but a financial plan for modernization in the State.

After doing a thorough appraisal of the 2020 budget presented by Kaduna State Government, I was amazed to discover that about 73 percent of the total budget is allocated to capital expenditures.

This is a complete negation of the locust years where recurrent expenditures subsumed the capital expenditures, it is also a clear departure from what is currently obtainable in the Federal Government Budget.

The State plans to inject 31 percent of the budget into economy to boast the production in the State, this is commendable as any state that wants to break the yoke of backwardness must take investment into economy as a priority, John Maynard Kaynes formulated ideas that became the bedrock of development in the western world, the State must plan deliberately to develop the economy, the recent budget has shown that Kaduna State is already on the right path.

Also, anyone that follows the nature and structure of development of the Asian Tigers would understand that Education is a key sector that must receive special attention, the Tigers broke the jinx because they invested adequately in education, as a departure from the past, and also moving closer to UNESCO Standard, about 18 percent of the budget is allocated to capital expenditures in the education sector, this is indeed a great leap.

The state government has shown that the budget is made to alleviate the pains of the masses and elevate the state, the allocation for the helpless children on the streets is also worthy of praise, the sons and daughters of nobody have gotten attention from 2020 budget proposal.

Beyond sentiment, this proposed budget deserves approval from all, but it is imperative to also call the attention of the State government to agriculture, Kaduna is highest exporter of Ginger Products, the State Government should explore and exploit the hidden opportunities in this aspect, this will further boast the economy and create employment for the youths.

On a final note, the budget portrays an attempt to lead away from the status quo, the state is on the path to modernization, but it becomes imperative to remind ourselves that budget is just like a "wish list", or a "paper tiger", the proper implementation is what gives the budget a deserved accolade. As the executive prepares to implement the budget with total transparency, the legislature must be ready to do a thorough oversight function, while the judiciary must be prepared to hear the dissenting voice.

Limis Gamaliel Shayet
Msc, University of Abuja
limisgamaliel@gmail.com