Niger Gov Signs N613bn  Budget Into Law

Less than four hours after  Niger State House of Assembly passed the 2024 appropriation bill, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, has signed it  into law and threatened to deal with agencies that generate and spend revenue.

The 2024 appropriation bill of over N613.9 was passed into law yesterday by the Assembly with N720 million over the N613.2 billion submitted to the Assembly by the governor a week ago.

Governor Umaru Bago after signing the bill commended the efforts of the legislators in the quick passage of the bill, describing it as unprecedented.

He noted that the budget holds a lot, and assured that it will be implemented accordingly.

He directed all the revenue-generating ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to rise to the occasion while cautioning those who “generate and spend” not to dare him as the policy has been abolished.

He assured that the instrument of oversight function of the legislature will not be compromised saying, “Legislature and its sanctity must be protected. For the government to do well, somebody must criticize and scrutinize the activities of the government. We should leave our books open in the spirit of accountability.”

The speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, had earlier  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 preparation.