Lawmakers in Niger State House of Assembly on Tuesday have expressed concern over the deteriorating state of federal roads in the state, attributing the upsurge in banditry to the poor road conditions.
The Governor of Niger States, Umaru Bago presented a budget proposal of N613.274 billion for the year 2024 to the House for approval.
During the budget presentation, Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkindaji spoke on behalf of the legislators, highlighting the connection between bad roads and the escalating insecurity in the state.
He stated, “Bandits, insurgents, and other criminal elements have continued to take advantage of the bad condition of the roads to unleash terror on innocent travelers and residents with the loss of lives and properties while many ended up being abducted.”
Sarkindaji specifically pointed out the deplorable state of federal roads, including Minna-Zungeru-Kontagora roads, Kontagora-Rijau road, Minna-Suleja road, Kontagora-Bangi road, and Bida-Minna road.
He emphasized the urgent need for attention and appealed to the federal government to address these road issues promptly.
“These roads are urgently begging for attention, and we, therefore, appeal to the federal government to urgently fix these roads in the fiscal year,” Sarkindaji urged.
The governor, while presenting the budget proposal titled “Budget of the Future,” disclosed that it had a recurrent expenditure of N149.2 billion or 24.33 per cent and a capital expenditure of N464.05 billion, representing 75.67 per cent of the total package.
He outlined the financing plan, indicating that it would be supported by recurrent revenue of N298.052 billion, with N155.963 billion coming from statutory allocation.
Additional revenue sources mentioned by the governor included Value Added Tax of N50.6 billion, Internally-Generated Revenue of N61.8 billion, and excess crude oil and other revenues of N9.5 billion.
