Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has signed the House of Assembly’s 2024 appropriation bill, seven days after presenting the budget plan to the legislature.
On December 19th, the governor presented to the state parliament a 2024 budget estimate of about N613 billion.
He stated that his administration respected the independence of the legislature and read a riot act against members of his cabinet who did not honour the state house of assembly’s invitation for scrutiny and status inquiry.
“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,” he said.
He also directed all the revenue-generating ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, to live up to expectations while warning organisations that” generate and spend” not to dare him as the policy has been abolished.
Commending the governor’s effort the Speaker Niger State House of Assembly Abdulmalik Sarkindaji said the quick passage of the appropriation bill was due to the collaboration with the executive, he announced an increase of 720 million naira from the original budget estimate.