From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna
The Niger state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has signed in to law the 2018 appropriation bill of the sum of N134,286,425,019:00 against the N128,010,602,977:00 presented by the governor in December, 2017.
He however expressed fears that the late passage of the 2018 budget by the House of Assembly could affect the road construction components of the fiscal law.
The governor raised the fears after assenting to the appropriation bill passed by the House of Assembly.
“The lateness in the passage of the budget will have some effects on our road projects because of the rains” the governor said.
Governor Sani Bello therefore charged the House of Assembly to expedite action on the 2019 budget when presented, saying that the Executive would ensure the fiscal estimates were ready at least in the last quarter of the year.
He specifically directed the State Planning Commission to commence work on the budget so that it would meet the deadline.
“With the signing of the bill, government business will move at a faster pace. We have no excuse not to succeed, we have lost a few months but we will make up for the lost ground”.
The state is to expend over N134 billion for its services this fiscal year with 60% of the money going for capital projects and N40% to recurrent expenditure.
