We will borrow 80 billion naira to execute 69 projects in 2023 – Government of Niger

The Niger State government has announced that it will borrow 80 billion naira for the execution of 69 major projects in the financial year 2023.

State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Bello said this at a town hall meeting organized by the State Planning Commission in conjunction with the House of Assembly Appropriations Committee last Friday in Minna , the state capital.

"Over N80 billion is expected to be borrowed, including N63.28 billion from external borrowing and N16.97 billion from internal borrowing to finance the 2023 budget. I want to assure you that the government of the state is comfortable and sustainable in repayment,” the governor said.

He further said that the 2023 budget prioritized rural access roads, education, health and social sectors, including youth, and women's empowerment, as well as than to the renovation of public buildings.

The Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, commended the National Assembly for endorsing the public meeting aimed at strengthening accountability, inclusiveness and participatory democracy.

He described next year's budget as a "people-oriented" budget that had citizen contributions to achieve priority spending.

In his address, the Chairman of the House of Assembly's Planning and Supply Committee, the Hon. Bashir Lokogoma, expressed concern over the state's weak internally generated revenue base, urging the state's planning commission to look into it "with all the seriousness necessary to close the gap". p>