The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has signed the state’s 2024, N613.2 billion budget into law.
Bago warned officials of his government not to generate and spend the state revenue or face his wrath.
The governor signed the budget on Thursday, hours after the State Assembly passed the budget noting that the budget holds a lot and assured that it will be implemented accordingly.
Speaking after signing the appropriation bill, Bago commended the efforts of the Legislators for the quick passage of the bill, saying it was unprecedented.
The amount signed was N720 million more than the N613.2 the governor presented to the House of Assembly.
Bago restated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the existing synergy with the legislative arm adding that he has directed that the Legislative quarters at the three Arm zone be completed in the next three months for them to have a befitting accommodation.
While assuring that the instrument of oversight function of the Legislature will not be compromised, he said that all the heads of MDAs that refuse to avail themselves before the Legislature for scrutiny and status enquiry will be fired.
“Legislature and its sanctity must be protected. For the government to do well, somebody must criticise and scrutinise the activities of the government. We should leave our books open in the Spirit of accountability,” he said.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, explained that the budget size was increased by N720 million to cater for some critical areas of need for the realisation of the “New Niger” agenda.
He said the quick passage was achieved because the Planning Commission was able to carry the Legislature along in the budget.
Sarkin-David pledged the unflinching support of the legislature and assured that the 10th Assembly share in his vision and will stop at nothing to ensure it is realized.
It would be recalled that Bago had on the 19th of December, 2023 presented the 2024 estimate tagged “the budget of the future” to the State Assembly for the passage during which the Speaker, promised that the legislators will work assiduously to ensure its passage on or before the 27th of December, 2023.
