By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State House of Assembly had a busy day Wednesday, passing five bills into law and sending them to Governor Umaru Mohammad Bago for an accent.
Among the bills signed into law was one to amend the Niger State Tax Administration and consolidation law.
The bill, introduced by the majority leader, Hon. Idris Musa Vatsa (Lapai), and seconded by the minority leader, Hon. Andrew Doma (Shiroro), was passed to improve tax collection in the state and increase revenue generation.
Other bills introduced by the majority leader and passed into law included "a bill for a law to establish the Niger State Investment Promotion Agency and for other matters connected therewith."
The bill for "a law to provide for the establishment of the public-private partnership agency and other matters related to 2023" was also passed.
Similarly, a bill amending the Niger State University of Education Law, 2013, and other related matters, was passed after its third reading.
The house also heard a report on planning and appropriation from its chairman, Hon. Zubairu Ismaila (Rafi), on the 2024 budget estimate.
Following extensive deliberation, Governor Bago's initial budget of N613, 274, 884, and 697.00 was increased to N613, 994, 801, and 697.00, a N720 million increase.
The House has since gone on recess and will resume on February 6, 2024.
The Speaker of the 10th Legislative Assembly, Hon Abdulmalik Sarkindaji (Mariga), represented by his deputy, Hon Afiniki Eunice Dauda, commended the members for giving their best towards ensuring the quick passage of the 2024 budget.  

By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has signed into law the 2024 appropriation bill, reiterating his earlier warning to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) not to dare him in his resolve to fully implement the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
The signing ceremony, which took place at Government House in Minna, was witnessed by senior government officials, members of the State House of Assembly, political party leaders, and the media.
The governor signed N613. 994 billion, an amount more than the N613.274 billion he presented to the House a week ago. An increase of N720 million was added to the budget by the State House of Assembly.
Speaking after signing the appropriation bill into law, Governor Umaru Bago warned all revenue-generating MDAs against spending what they have generated, saying his administration was determined to block all leakages to raise the needed funds to implement the budget.
He then directed all the revenue-generating MDAs to rise to the occasion while cautioning those who "generate and spend" not to dare him as the policy has been abolished.
The governor, who noted that the budget holds a lot, assured that it would be implemented accordingly. He commended the efforts of the legislators for the quick passage of the bill, describing it as unprecedented.
The governor restated his administration's commitment to strengthening the existing synergy with the legislature, disclosing that the legislative quarters at the three-arm zone will soon be completed for a befitting accommodation.
He said any government officials that refuse to avail themselves before the legislature to answer questions will be fired, saying the oversight powers of the legislature under his administration will not be compromised.
According to him, "Legislature and its sanctity must be protected. For the government to do well, somebody must criticise and scrutinise the activities of the government. We should leave our books open in the spirit of accountability.".
Earlier, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, explained that the budget size was increased by N720 million to cater for some critical areas of need for the realization of the "New Niger" agenda.
The Speaker said the quick passage was achieved because the planning commission was able to carry the lawmakers along in the budget preparation.
He applauded the governor for his unflinching support of the legislature, assuring him that the 10th Assembly shares his vision and will stop at nothing to ensure it is realised.
It will be recalled that Governor Umaru Bago presented the 2024 estimate, tagged "the budget of the future," to the State Assembly for passage on December 19, 2023, where the Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, promised that the legislators would work assiduously to ensure its passage on or before December 27, 2023.