By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor, Hon Mohammed Umaru Bago, laid before the State House of Assembly on Tuesday an estimated 2024 budget proposal of N613,274 billion.
The proposal is made up of N149,217b as recurrent expenditure, representing 24.33 percent, and a capital estimate of N464,058b, representing 75.67 percent. Christened "Budget of the Future", Governor Umaru Bago said the budget was predicated on sustainable development anchored on the Green Economy initiative of his administration.
The budget, according to the governor, will be financed through an expected recurrent revenue inflow of N298.052 billion and capital receipts of N315,322 billion, comprising loans and grants.
The governor also outlined modalities to raise the funds, including loans and grants, an expected N5.1 billion in monthly internally generated revenue, the abolition of generate and utilise by all MDAs, the implementation of the state and local governments harmonised revenue laws, the automation of IGR collection to block leakages, the introduction of 5% contract processing fees, and entertainment at hotels and resorts, among others.
In the sectoral breakdown of the budget, the infrastructure, housing, and urban renewal sectors got the highest allocation of N220.6 billion, which represents 42 percent of the entire budget, followed by education, agriculture, and health with N76.2 billion, N43.5 billion, and 42.7 billion, respectively, allocated; while law and justice got the lowest estimate, which stood at N2.730 billion.
According to the Governor, "Our social contract with Nigerlites in our manifesto is to improve livelihoods, foster a sustainable economy, uphold good governance, and advance both urban and rural development, which defines the essence of this transformative initiative".
Governor Umaru Bago recounted the numerous achievements recorded by his administration and assured that the 2024 budget was geared towards the enthronement of a new and sustainable Niger that is full of opportunities for all.
While appealing to the Speaker and other Members of the State Assembly for speedy scrutiny and passage of the budget proposal, the governor commended them for a harmonious working relationship between both arms of government, promising that his administration will continue to strengthen the existing synergy and collaborations.
"We are at the threshold of evolving a new and sustainable Niger. This calls for cooperation and understanding from all.
"In the first quarter of 2024, we will launch our long-term, medium-term, and all sectoral plans. To achieve our vision, sustainability will be mainstreamed into all our plans, particularly through our green economy initiative”, the governor added.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Controller of the Niger State Fire Service, Baba Alhaji Alikali, has disclosed that about 60 to 70 percent of most domestic fire outbreaks were caused by carelessness.
Speaking in an interview with Newsline Newspapers in his office, the controller, who said fire is a friend but to others, an enemy, explained that fire is one of the best things "we cannot do without because we use it to cook, boil, fabricate, melt, clean, and clear the environment, but it all depends on how you control it.".
He said that as the harmattan season has sprung up, he has advised the general public to be careful in terms of fire activities, urging that safety measures should always be paramount to avoid losing lives and properties.
Baba Alkali warned those in the habit of using fireworks to make use of excessive water to quench it after usage, adding that if not properly quenched, the heat that remained in it can be rekindled when the breeze continues to blow it.
The controller further stated that those who had bushes around their houses should clear them to about 50 feet, stressing that the same method should be applied to those that have plots and uncompleted structures that were not properly kept to equally clear the bushes.
"If you happen to be a neighbour of an abandoned land, please call the owner's attention to come and put the place in order.
"To set a fire, make sure you can contain it, but if you feel you cannot contain it, call on the Niger State Fire Service or the Federal Fire Service to come closer so that by the time you light a fire, they will be on standby in case of any emergency," he said.
He also enjoined the public to desist from keeping petroleum products at home and should not allow children to go very close to matches.
"My advice also goes to women, because they use fire more often, that they should please be sensitive and attentive to everything they do whenever they are going out. They should not forget to turn off electrical and fire appliances like gas, stoves, electric cookers, and heaters before leaving the house.
"The general public should also help us by suspending their house service wires very high because we usually have challenges of free movement when we are on line of duty, which is affecting our tanks to access the victim's houses easily.
"Also, please do not wait for the fire to go viral before you call fire service attention; a stitch in time saves nine," he warned.