Governor Sani Bello during the budget presentation in Minna.
Photo Credit: giranhypehouse
MINNA: Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has presented a budget estimate of N238.9 billion to the Niger State House of Assembly.
Speaking during the presentation at the Assembly complex in Minna on Tuesday, Bello said that the budget, tagged the “2023 Budget of Consolidation and Transition” is 2.96 percent higher than the 2022 budget.
According to Bello, the budget which has a total size of N238,924,457,782.47 consists of a total revenue of N91,044,745,351.31, representing 38.11% and a capital expenditure of N147,879,712,431.16 representing 61.89%.
Bello said that the budget will cover the completion of projects which have reached 80-90 percent completion.
“Government is desirous of completing all the ongoing road projects before the end of our administration. Therefore, I call on contractors to immediately mobilize back to the site as the rains have receded.
“The 2023 Budget is aimed at the completion of projects at advanced stages, increase internal revenue generation, maximization of our potentials and encouragement of private sector participation in the development of the State.
“To this end, the budget will focus on: Security, Agriculture Infrastructural Development, Education, Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Investment Promotion, Environmental Sustainability, Women, Youth, and People with Special Needs.
“Our approach in 2023 fiscal year will be to prioritize the completion of those projects that have attained 80-90% completion while pursuing other that are already initiated to a logical conclusion. At this point, I wish to reiterate my call to contractors to resume back to their respective sites immediately,” he said.
Based on the Governor’s presentation, the Economic Sector carried the bulk of all capital allocations with over N98.786 billion, representing 66.80% of the total budget.
This was followed by the Social Sector with N38.442 or 26.00%, the Administrative Sector with N9.326, and the Law and Justice Sector with N1.325 billion representing 0.90%.
Bello further revealed that the state government would henceforth improve its efforts towards boosting its revenue generation sources.
“recent global and domestic events have further revealed why we need to review our sources of IGR as we look inward to grow the state economy, by paying more attention to infrastructural development to attract private sector investment for enhanced earnings,” he said.
On his part, the Speaker of the Niger State House House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bawa Wuse stressed the need for the Niger State Government to enhance its revenue sources.
Wuse assured the Governor of the speedy passage of the bill by the House.
MX Gossip 2
Architects To Plant 1,000 Trees In Niger State
MINNA: Members of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) in Niger State have flagged off trees planting exercise in Minna, the Niger State Capital.
The event which is part of activities to mark the 2022 World Architect Day is expected to see the planting of 1,000 trees in the state.
The exercise was carried out in some public and private schools, mosques and churches, the Abdulsalam Youth Centre, as well as the Bank of Agriculture.
Speaking during the event, the Chairman of the NIA in Niger State, Bako Mohammed said that the exercise was aimed at redressing the impact of climate change on society.
According to Mohammed, the exercise symbolizes hope, continuity of life, filtered air, and fresh drinking water, while also assisting the environment to cope with climate change.
Mohammed also said that the association was working with other stakeholders in ensuring the preservation of trees in the state.
“We are synergizing with relevant authorities in charge of forestry to make sure that falling of trees in our cities and bushes are checked to preserve the environment,” he said.
