It’s imperative to note that the perception of budget process, implementation and evaluation in line with due process, probity and transparency and accountability philosophy of the government of governor Kwankwaso is so glaring for all to see and assess.

Budget allocation is naturally about what the leadership at the center appropriated for the development of states, while budget discipline is about how the state resources are properly utilised by those governing the affairs of the people at various tiers. A beautiful turn out of what appeared to be a welcome development manifested in Kano State, where proper financial discipline, prioritising areas of development, blocking leakages of state funds and increased internal revenue generation of governor Kwankwaso now explains why ‘Kano’ is tagged ‘Small Dubai’.

Until recently, an independent organisation named Transparency in Nigeria (TIN) an affiliate of Transparency International (TI) a global coalition against corruption listed governor Kwankwaso’s administration as the most fiscally responsible in the 2012/2013. The (TIN) release made available to newsmen revealed “Kano is the most transparent state when it comes to budgeting, budget implementation and monitoring.” Transparency in Nigeria further stated that many sources were used to get all the necessary information that led to the assessment of all the states of the federation in which Kano State tops the list.

The assessment yardstick called Budget Discipline Perception Index (BDPI) 2012/2013 is a known mechanism to those organisations tracking budget implementation and corruption at various levels. Its adoption in this regards found Kano government under Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso suitable to emerge best in fiscal responsibility.

The administration of Rabiu Kwankwaso from 2011 to date had boasted of stopping leakages at the budget implementation stage, its zero tolerance to corruption and other corrupt practices among political office holders and top government functionaries. The present government of Kano has cut down operational cost to ministries, departments and agencies which according to governor Kwankwaso, had saved the state over five billion naira. In a similar development, governor Kwankwaso from inception cancelled security vote fund budgeted for his office among other funds allocated for the office of the state first lady.

It’s imperative to note that the perception of budget process, implementation and evaluation in line with due process, probity and transparency and accountability philosophy of the government of governor Kwankwaso is so glaring for all to see and assess.

Assessing government of Dr. Kwankwaso would be as simple as critically examining his government expenditure on human capital, youth and women responsive budgetary allocation, performance in the derivation of the internally generated revenue, from four hundred million naira monthly to N1.8 billion naira monthly, housing –construction of about three thousand houses, urban renewal and focus of budget to sectoral targets of the State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS) among others.

Confirming the speedy transformation of the state through budget discipline and proper utilisation of the state resources resulted in the construction of first-ever fly over bridge, establishment of 23 craft schools and 21 institutes, training of 88,000 women in vocational skills, training of 1,300 youth in farm mechanisation, establishment of 44 micro finance banks, sponsorship of 501 graduates to 14 countries to pursue higher education, 100 students to Jordan to be train as Pilots, 200 students to study medicine and pharmacy,  and a number of others at home and other Europe and Asian countries.

When state resources are handled by the government that has financial discipline as its cardinal principle, tremendous and surprising development become achievable. This is more apparent in the present Kano where roads are newly laid, structures are rising high, business is booming, workers salaries is paid promptly, and happily civil servants are sanitised.

I pray that the ‘Small Dubai’ of Kano would metamorphose to the pride of all and attract huge investors.

When budget allocation meets fiscal discipline the state becomes wholly transformed.