NIGER GOVERNOR, PRESENTS OVER 613   BILLION NAIRA BUDGET PROPOSAL TO THE ASSEMBLY 

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has presented to the State House of Assembly a budget proposal of six hundred and thirteen point two billion naira for the twenty twenty four fiscal year for consideration.

The twenty twenty four estimates tagged the future budget which was presented to the State Legislature at the State Assembly complex in Minna would served as a road map for a visionary twenty year journey embodied in Niger state future initiative.
 
Alh Mohammed Umar Bago further explained that it was also a clear testimony and resolved of its social contract with Nigerlites in their manifessto which is to improve livelihood foster sustainable economy uphold good governance and address both urban and rural development which defines the essence of this transformative initiative

From the total size of the budget which was prepared based on the Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU) Fiscal Strategy, more than N464 billion, representing 75.67%, was captured as the capital estimate while above N149 billion representing 24.33% stood as the recurrent expenditure.

The budget according to the Governor will be financed through recurrent revenue of over N298 billion  made up of Statutory Allocation, Value Added Tax, Internally Generated Revenue, Excess Crude/Other Revenue, SURE-P Refund, and Capital receipts of above N315 billion which comprise loans and grants 

In his presentation, Alh Mohammed Umar Bago who called himself as farmer Governor also l recounted the numerous achievements recorded by his administration so far, assured that the 2024 budget is geared towards the enthronement of a New and Sustainable Niger that is full of opportunities for all.

A breakdown of the budget shows that, the Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Renewal sector, got the highest allocation to the tune of N220.6 billion which represents 42% of the entire budget for 2024 estimated followed by the Education, Agriculture, and Health Sub-sectors with N76.2 billion, N43.5 billion and 42.7 Billion respectively allocated while Law and Justice got the lowest estimate which stood at N2.730 billion.

In his remarks, Speaker, of the Niger State House of Assembly and Member representing  Mariga constituency, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, assured that the tentth Assembly will properly scrutinise the budget in line with the "New Niger" vision to ensure its passage within  the next one week.

Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji  however urged all the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA's) to support their resolve by complying with the screening time-table stressing that the House will intensify its oversights functions  to succeed.

All the seven first class Emirs of Kontagora Borgu Agaie Suleja Minna Kagara headed by the Chairman Niger state Council of Chiefs and Emir of Bida the Etsu Nupe Alh Yahaya Abubakar attended the presentation of twenty twenty four budget estimates.

It could be recalled that this is the first full budget estimate  the Bago-led administration presented to the State Assembly for consideration and subsequent approval.

Report by Lawal Wali Suleja.