Gov Mohammed signs 2024 budget estimate, three other passed bills into law

Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has signed the 2024 appropriation bill he earlier presented to the state assembly for consideration into law.

Bala Mohammed while assenting to the budget estimate of N300,219,705,820.60 as passed by the State House of Assembly, also signed three other executive bills.

Speaking at the signing of the budget and the three others laws at the Council Chambers of the Government House, 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.

According to Governor Mohammed, his administration has deliberately set in place a plan to develop infrastructural base in order to sustainably grow economy going into the future through developing the Human Capital resurces of the state through the prioritization of education, healthcare delivery and provision of other basic social services among others.

The Governor who appreciated the state assembly for for the timely passage of the 2024 budget estimate also commended 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 anyway compromising the legislative processes and scrutiny it ought to go through.”, The Governor said.

He 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 Ammend the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Law 2023.

The rest are a Law to Provide for the Establishment of the Bauchi State Urban Water and Sewarage 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 for Other 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 necessities 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 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.”, Bala Mohammed stated.

Governor Mohammed expressed belief that the law will strengthen the management of water infrastructure across the State, ensure the regulation of the sector and encourage citizens to take responsibility for services being provided to them.

He assured the citizens of the state that his administration will continue to work to the best of its abilities, especially in ensuring the faithful implementation of the budget for the development of the state.

Speaking earlier, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Babayo Mohammed Akuyam said the timely passage of the 2024 budget is to enable the executive implement its effectively for the benefit of the state and its people.

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 execution of people’s oriented policies and programmes.

The Speaker also said that the Members are under legislative scrutiny and are for the betterment of the state and its people.