Niger State Budget: N2.7 Billion for Allowances, Meagre N50 Million for Water

An examination of the Niger State 2026 Second Quarter Budget Implementation Report has brought to light a significant disparity in the state government's expenditure. Over a six-month period, from January to June 2026, the government disbursed more than N2.69 billion on honorarium and sitting allowances, while only N50 million was made available for the establishment of new water facilities. Furthermore, no funds were allocated for the restoration of existing water infrastructure.

The budget performance report indicates that a total of N2,694,832,210.36 (N2.69 billion) was spent under the 'Honorarium & Sitting Allowance' line item during the first half of 2026. This figure accounts for 14.4 percent of the N18.75 billion earmarked for this purpose in the 2026 budget.

In stark contrast, the state had budgeted N22.93 billion for the construction and provision of water facilities. However, only N50 million, representing a mere 0.2 percent of the allocated sum, was released within the same six-month timeframe. This left an substantial unspent balance of N22.88 billion.

Adding to the concern, the report also revealed a complete absence of expenditure on the rehabilitation and repairs of water facilities, despite a budgetary provision of N2.95 billion for this essential service. The implementation rate for this item stood at zero percent by the close of the second quarter.

These figures underscore a significant imbalance, demonstrating that the government spent over 53 times the amount released for new water infrastructure on honorarium and sitting allowances during the period under review.

Beyond honorarium, the overall recurrent expenditure under 'Expenses General' reached N15.19 billion, against an annual budget of N72.69 billion, indicating a 20.9 percent implementation rate.

Several other administrative cost centers also saw considerable spending in the first half of the year. Subscriptions to professional bodies consumed N5.91 billion, representing 62.2 percent of the N9.50 billion budget, making it one of the most rapidly implemented recurrent expenditure categories. Welfare packages accounted for N3.76 billion (21.9 percent of N17.15 billion), while N1.25 billion was spent on local medical expenses from a N12.50 billion annual budget.

Additional expenditures included N918.66 million for publicity and advertisements, N406.96 million for refreshments and meals, N110.16 million for postages and courier services, N79.69 million for foreign scholarship schemes, N45.21 million for sporting activities, N11.17 million for special days and celebrations, and N300,000 for direct teaching and laboratory costs.

The state's capital expenditure performance mirrored similar trends in the infrastructure sector. Out of a capital budget of N783.69 billion, the government's year-to-date spending amounted to N151.23 billion, reflecting a 19.3 percent implementation.

Within the capital budget, N106.75 billion was directed towards the construction and provision of fixed assets, which is 21.6 percent of the N494.88 billion designated for this category. Expenditure on office building construction reached N8.59 billion, while hospital and health centre construction received N1.69 billion. Agricultural facilities saw N1.17 billion, a mere 2.5 percent of its N46.60 billion allocation, and electricity projects received N1.15 billion from a N12.62 billion budget.

Alarmingly, numerous other critical infrastructure projects recorded no spending whatsoever during the first six months of the year. These included the construction of residential buildings, public schools, firefighting stations, libraries, sporting facilities, waterways, markets and parks, ICT infrastructure, recreational facilities, boundary pillars, and power-generating plants, among others.

Regarding rehabilitation efforts, public schools received only N450 million out of a N20.34 billion budget, an implementation rate of 2.2 percent. Similarly, N2.26 billion was spent on rehabilitating agricultural facilities, and N4.52 billion on repairs for hospitals and health centres. However, no funds were released for the rehabilitation of housing, libraries, recreational facilities, and notably, water facilities.

Finally, the budget report indicated that the state spent N26.72 billion on public debt charges during the first half of the year. This sum comprised N11.76 billion for domestic interest payments, N8.27 billion for domestic principal repayments, N4.35 billion for foreign principal, and N2.34 billion for foreign interest obligations.

This expenditure pattern suggests a clear prioritization of administrative costs, debt servicing, and road infrastructure, with vital water infrastructure receiving minimal attention despite significant budgetary allocations.