As Covid-19 continues to bite with serious economic shock waves, the Nyeri County Government has projected a 20 percent revenue collection decline in the coming 2020/21 financial year.
The devolved unit targets to collect Sh 650 million in the coming 2020/21 financial year against Sh 780 million collected in the current fiscal year ending June 30.
This, according to County Executive Member for Finance and Economic Planning, Robert Thuo, called for the devolved unit to work within a constrained budget with a tight balancing act to ensure optimal allocations of the available resources.
Speaking Thursday while presenting the budget estimates for the coming financial year at the County Assembly, Thuo said the overall target was Sh 1 billion, adding he was optimistic was within reach to ensure all earmarked projects are undertaken and completed.
“All efforts will be directed towards the attainment of our target and possibly surpassing the same if economic shocks will be manageable including the effects of covid-19,” said the CEC.
In pursuit of this target, Thuo said they will not increase or introduce new levies but instead enforce rates payments and expand revenue base.
“The revenue target is anticipated to be attained with the least possible variation of existing rates, fees and charges,” the CEC said.
He said they will endeavor to broaden the current revenue base and ensure optimal administration cost by automating all revenue streams to stem wastage and pilferage.
The total projected budget for the county is Sh 7.4 billion consisting of recurrent expenditure of Sh 5 billion which is 67.8 percent of the total budget leaving development budget with Sh 2.4 billion equivalent of 32 percent.
Out of this budget, health services have taken the lion’s share of the recurrent expenditure at Sh 2. 5 billion and a further Sh 361 million for development.
In support of this allocation, Thuo said it was critical to invest in the health sector as it is the main driver in the county’s economic and social-wellbeing.
In the proposed budget, the CEC said Sh 30 million has been set aside in addition to Sh 124 million National Government contributions to the county towards the initiatives towards Covid-19 fight pandemic.
On post Covid-19 recovery strategy, Thuo announced that Sh 40 million had been set aside for the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).
The money according to the CEC is set to go towards creating employment opportunities for the locals.
By Samuel waititu
