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 Wednesday, hours after the state assembly passed the budget, noting that the budget holds a lot and assured residents 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.
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 the people that the instrument of the oversight function of the Legislature will not be compromised, he said 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, the Speaker of the 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 shares in his vision and will stop at nothing to ensure it is realized.
PUNCH reports that Bago had on December 19, 2023, presented the 2024 estimate tagged “Budget of the future” to the state assembly for passage during which the Speaker promised that the legislators would ensure its passage on or before December 27, 2023.