By Ahmed Ahmed
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State on Thursday assented to the 2024 Approved state Budget estimate of N300,219,705,820.60.
Speaking at the signing of the budget held at the Council chambers, Government House, Bauchi, the Governor noted that the 2024 Budget epitomizes his administration’s desire to set a trajectory to meet its vision for the equitable development of the state and its citizens.
He said the administration has deliberately set in place a plan to develop an infrastructural base to grow the economy going into the future through developing the Human Capital resources of the state through the prioritization of education, healthcare delivery and provision of other basic social services among others.
The Governor appreciated the members of the assembly for the timely passage of the 2024 budget estimate and in particular their exceptional dedication and patriotism in the service of the state.
“You will all recall that four weeks ago, I presented the Budget proposals to the State House of Assembly. I recall the pledge made by the Right Honourable Speaker that the House will dispassionately consider the proposal within a reasonable time without in any way compromising the legislative processes and scrutiny it ought to go through.”
Governor Bala Mohammed also assented to bills for a Law to Provide and Protect the Rights of the Child in Bauchi State and Other Related Matters 2023, a Law to Amend the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Law 2023.
The rest is a Law to Provide for the Establishment of the Bauchi State Urban Water and Sewerage Corporation, the Bauchi State Small Towns Water and Sanitation Agency, the Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, the Bauchi State Water Services Regulatory Commission and the Matters Incidental thereto and Connected therewith.
According to him, two of the Laws seek to address the age-long challenge of the marginalization of children that has denied them access to the basic sites of life as the laws were enacted taking special consideration of the state’s cultural peculiarities while the other law also seeks to address the perennial challenges associated with water the sector.
“I am also pleased to note the other bills that have been passed including the Child Rights Law which has now placed us on the same footing with other States of the Federation, the Amendment to the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Law, as well as the Establishment of the various Agencies and Regulatory frameworks within the State’s Water Sector.
“It is We believe the law will strengthen the management of our water infrastructure across the State, ensure the regulation of the sector and encourage citizens to take responsibility for services being provided to them.”
The Governor then assured the citizens of the state that his administration would continue to work to the best of its abilities, especially in ensuring the faithful implementation of the budget for the development of the state.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Babayo Mohammed Akuyam said the timely passage of the 2024 budget is to enable the executive to implement it effectively for the benefit of the state and its people.
Speaker Babayo Akuyam assured of the readiness of the Assembly to sustain its cordial relationship with the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed in recognition of his desire and vision for the total transformation of the state through the on of people’s oriented policies and programmes.