By Aminu Abubakar

A SolaceBase review of the Niger State budget performance document has shown that the state spent N1.2 billion on special days and celebrations in the first nine months of 2024.

The amount spent on celebrations is 4% of what the state generated as internal revenue within the same period of January to September 2024.

This is as it made N29.2 billion in the period under review.

This comes amid developmental and security challenges facing the state.

Niger State also battles insecurity with, just before this report, bandits were said to have killed ten persons and burned houses in the state.

Niger State has been experiencing flooding that has sacked many communities.

Over three hundred communities have been reported sacked by communities in Niger State.

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It was recently reported that the state lost eleven to floods while two hundred and four-five schools were washed away.

While the state spent N1.2 billion on celebrations, its zero naira on the Ministry of Rural Development capital expenditure for the first three quarters of 2024, no money was also spent on the rural water and sanitation agency capital expenditure.

This is despite cholera said to have killed sixteen persons in the state with another 165 cases said to have been recorded.

SolaceBase reported how lives were lost due to cholera and the absence of potable drinking water, with residents sharing water with cows and drinking from stagnant water.

While the state spent N1.2 billion on celebrations and special days, only N196 million was spent on the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

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The state also failed to spend any amount on capital expenditure for basic healthcare, this is despite the state of healthcare in the state.

Already, 71% of households in the state are said to be deprived of access to sanitary facilities, and another 50% of households are said to be deprived of access to clean drinking water.

No amount was spent on rehabilitation/repairs of water facilities.

There have been concerns over priority spending by state governments amid claims of poor resources and inability to meet fiscal demands.

Niger State already has 1.6 million poor persons and an unemployment rate of 38.8%.