The Niger government will borrow N80 billion for the execution of 69 major projects in the 2023 fiscal year, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has said.
The governor said this at a town hall meeting organised by the Niger State Planning Commission in conjunction with the House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation in Minna Friday.
“Over N80 billion is expected to be borrowed consisting of N63.28 billion from external and N16.97 billion internal borrowing to finance the next year’s budget. I want to assure you that the state government is comfortable and sustainable in the repayment,” he said.
He said the 2023 budget had prioritised focus on rural access roads, education, health and social sectors, youth and women empowerment as well as renovation of public buildings.
The governor, represented by the deputy governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, applauded the House of Assembly for approving the public meeting aimed at enhancing accountability, inclusiveness and participatory democracy.
He described the 2023 budget as a “people-oriented” one which had the inputs of the citizens to achieve priority spending.
In a remark, the chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Planning and Appreciation, Bashir Lokogoma, expressed concerns over the poor internally generated revenue base of the state, urging the state planning commission to look into it “with all seriousness to bridge the gap.”
