Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello, on Tuesday presented a budget proposal of N159.5 for 2019 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

Tagged “Budget of Sustenance and Continuity”, the appropriation bill is an increment of 5.43 percent of the outgoing 2018 budget.

According to the Governor, “The 2019 budget estimate will focus mainly on the completion of all on-going projects that have direct bearing on the lives of Nigerlites in addition to some critical new ones.”

Outlining the key components of the proposed 2019 budget, the Governor disclosed that the capital expenditure would amount to N96,205,435,383.00 (60.31 percent) while the recurrent expenditure would amount to N63,324,292,994.00 (29.69 percent)

The Governor who said that his administration would not relent in ensuring the development of the state even in the course of the economic hardship said that it would engage in different developmental projects across all the sectors in the state.

“Indeed we are aware of the people’s demands from us and we are doing our best in that respect. However, we are prepared to do more in order to improve the living standard of the people,” he said.

He then called for continued cooperation and understanding of the legislative arm of the government as they engage in vigorous healthy collaboration in setting agenda for the development of the state and its people.

Governor Sani-Bello also called on the people of the state to ensure that they acquire their permanent voter’s card to enable them exercise their franchise during the forthcoming 2019 general elections, adding that they should embrace peaceful coexistence at all times which he said the state is known for.

The Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmed Marafa Guni, assured Governor Sani-Bello that the House would ensure urgent attention is given to the appropriation bill and has commended the Governor for his promptness in presenting the budget to the House.

He then assured the Governor that the legislative arm of the state would continue to work with the executive in order to bring about meaningful development in the state.

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