By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abubakar Y Suleiman has declared that Nigerians are chocking under the artificial hardship inflicted on them on daily basis as a result of some policy miscalculations by the Government at the centre which is very worrisome and needs urgent attention.
He therefore called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency, look at some of its policies that have brought untold hardship to the existence of Nigerians and retrace their steps.
Abubakar Y Suleiman was speaking on the occasion of Year 2025 Budget presentation by the Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed on Thursday 21st November, 2024.
The Speaker stressed that, “This is because many of these policies are inimical to the very human existence.”
According to him, “However, I wish to state without any fear of contradiction that, the current pathetic economic and life situation in our Communities and the Country at large is not what we envisaged and pray for.”
He added that, “Despite the fact that, we are in the harvest season now, and people have responded to calls and advice by leaders and went back to the farm, yet the acquisition of some basic necessities of life are becoming harder and beyond the reach of many families on daily basis.”
He added that, “Let me also use this opportunity to add to the voice of our Governor, to call on the concerned authorities in the country to act quickly in order to reduce the burden on Nigerians.”
The Speaker used the opportunity to, “express our gratitude, support and encouragement to His Excellency for his consistency in the prompt presentation of appropriation bill to this Honourable House. If I may recall very well, for the past five years of His Excellency’s administration, from the first to the current tenure, he has never delayed the presentation of the appropriation bill to the House.”
He added that, “We always begin a new year with a new appropriation Law and this goes to show the commitment, zeal and determination of the Governor to transform the State for the betterment of our citizens. Not only that, all the previous budgets submitted and passed by this Honourable House during the 9th and the current 10th Assembly were all in conformity with global best standards of financial management and public expenditure.”
According to him,”I have no iota of doubt that the current proposal is not different from the others. This singular act of His Excellency gingers and encourages us as honourable members through our various committees to work on the budget assiduously day and night to meet the goals and aspirations of His Excellency of building a more prosperous and economically viable Bauchi State and its citizens. ”
The Speaker added that,”The early presentation of the budget also enables us to prepare for oversight functions early, commencing from January to December of the fiscal year. I therefore wish to call on all Heads of MDAs to cooperate with our committees to ensure early defense of their proposals.”
“Let me sound it loud and clear that any failure to cooperate with the relevant House Committee by any Head of an MDA will attract appropriate sanction,” he added.
He stressed that, “The budget, as presented by His Excellency, has the potential to boost performance of the Government and stimulate the economy of the State. The development of the state economy is one of the cardinal objectives and legislative agenda of the 10th Bauchi State House of Assembly.”
Abubakar Suleiman added that,”I am happy to note that, the Budget has prioritized some major areas of intervention that are real indices for growth and economic development for the State.”
According to him, “Such areas of Education, Health, Rural and Infrastructural development, economic empowerment for vulnerable and less privileged in the society as well as security, human and capital development are no doubt important areas that are synonymous with progress and development of any society.”
He also stated that, “The citizen’s participation in the early preparation of the Budget through the conduct of public hearing by the Executive will no doubt greatly add impetus to the appropriation. It will boost public confidence and acceptance of His Excellency’s development agenda and programmes for the State.”
“I am happy to report to you that despite the current economic realities in the country generally, the Budget implementation of the year 2024 in the State is expected to reach an average of almost 80%. This Was made possible by the inclusion of Revised and Supplementary Budget,” he added.
The Speaker told the Governor that,”Your antecedents and track records speaks for you. Your visionary leadership and quest for development of Bauchi State is a source of inspiration and encouragement to many of us in the State. You are a role model that is difficult to come by or compete with, you are an asset not only to Bauchi State, but the entire nation as a whole.”
“I therefore once again commend and urge His Excellency to maintain this momentum of working hand in hand with all Stakeholders, especially the legislature and the judiciary in order to transform the State,” he added.
The Speaker assured that, “On our part, we reassure you that we will not renege on any demand that is aimed at improving the lives of the citizens of the State which is also consistent with your policies and programmes as contained in pet policy document tagged “My Bauchi Project 1 and 2”. We shall also follow the implementation process of the Budget to ensure value for money and benefit for all citizens.”
He then commended the Governor and the State Executive Council for approving the implementation of the National Minimum Wage of N70,000/month stating that,”This is really commendable and to say the least, it will alleviate the hardship being experienced by our teaming civil servants and their families in the state.”
“Finally, Your Excellency, on behalf of myself and my colleagues in the 10th Assembly, I wish to extend our appreciation for sparing your time out of your busy and tight schedules to present this Budget and wish to assure you that we would not rest on our oars to ensure the speedy and meticulous work and passage of this Budget before the year ends,” The Speaker concluded.
