By Wole Mosadomi
MINNA — The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has forwarded a budget of N128.9 billion to the state House of Assembly for the 2011 fiscal year.

A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Muhammed Kuta Yahaya, stated that the budgeted was targeted at completing all on-going projects while few others that would have direct impact on the electorate would also be initiated.

Yahaya stated that concerted efforts would be made to improve on the internally generated Revenue, IGR, in order to fully implement the budget aimed at providing quality service to the citizenry.

He said besides the expected statutory allocation, government would pursue with renewed vigour other sources of revenue which include the expected Draw Downs from Development partners and Grants.

Other sources according to him include infrastructural bond, World Bank Credit for Rural Roads, Millennium Development Goals intervention, spill over Bond among others.

The SSG disclosed that government had taken stringent steps to cut down on public spendings and overheads adding that government would insist on expenditure based on current realities.

He however revealed that provisions had been made for certain basic necessities that might unfold during the year from Bond and capital market for developmental projects in order to accelerate the pace of development in the state.