Niger State Budget Presentation : Rt. Hon. Speaker, Ahmed Marafa's Speech

SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE RT. HON. SPEAKER, AHMED MARAFA AT THE PRESENTATION OF YEAR 2017 BUDGET BY HIS EXCELLENCY, ALH. ABUBAKAR SANI BELLO, FRIDAY, 16TH DECEMBER, 2016 NIGER STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY COMPLEX

It is with great sense of responsibility and immense satisfaction flat we listened to the presentation of year 2017 budget by estimates by the Executive Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Sani Bello.

Let me say with emphasis that the State Assembly will do everything possible to ensure the passage of the budget in record time to enable government consolidate in the achievement so far recorded in the last one year and a half. We do appreciate the effect of the dwindling revenue from the Federation Accounts which significantly account for the quantum size of the state revenue. This no doubt has negatively impacted on the ability of the state government to meet up with the ever growing demands of our various constituencies in the state.

I believe Mr. Governor has not been resting in his effort to look inwards on best 'Nays to further champion the provision of social amenities to the generalities of Nigerlites. We want to assure you of our legislative support in this direction by opening new frontiers that will improve the revenue base of the state to be able to meet up with the challenges of our time. We shall therefore, continue to partner with the Executive Arm to ensure that our resources are channeled towards productive projects for the overall interest of the s.ate. The Legislature will continue to support tile Executive to ensure blockage of all revenue leakages through oversight which invariably will lead to the strengthening of our internal control for an enhance revenue. We believer with our capacity as legislators to do so, government will maximally benefit from our action to provide the citizenry the much needed social amenities, As elected representatives, we have it as our duty to collectively deepen our commitment in the provision of electricity, good roads water, health, agriculture and functional education for our teeming youth throughout. the state.

It is my believe that once we improve the state rating in this direction, we shall at the expiration of our tenure stand tall to showcase our score card. I am indeed happy to note that this year's budget will seek to address the challenges being faced by women and youth in our state. Indeed this vulnerable group deserve special attention in other for the state to harness their potentials in a more productive venture. We all knew that the fight against crime and criminality will not be a success so long as this potential group of people are left uncattered and with no future assured. I therefore commend government for its proactive resolve to give special attention to the development of women and youth in our state.

Let me say that Niger State House of Assembly will by next year intensify its commitment at ensuring compliance of budgetary provisions by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). We shall make it a duty in our Appropriation Law for MDAs to render quarterly report of budget performance to the House to further enable the legislators track budget performance in the year 2017. We believe this way government cc n better appreciate its investment in the execution of capital projects across the state.

May I at this point request the government to deeply and critically look into the issue of some local government employees in the state who have stayed for four to five months without salary. I believe government is not glossing over this unfortunate scenario and working hard to resolve the issue. I therefore hope that something quickly would be done to ameliorate their sufferings so that collectively we move the state to the next level.

I would therefore at this juncture commend our Executive Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello for his endless focus in opening up communities that were hitherto forgotten !n the development index. Ne roads are beginning to spring up in and around areas considered as Slums in the past thereby improving on the economic activities of the state. We urge Mr. Governor to pursue with vigour such exercise to enable communities across the benefit from the government action.

May I thank our Royal Fathers for finding time to grace this occasion and to encourage you to continue to support government in its activities. We cannot thank you enough as we have consistently enjoyed your fatherly role in the state.

Finally, it is my belief that Nigerlites will continue to sustain their support to the administration to enable us build on the achievement so far recorded.

Thank you and God bless.