Niger Assembly warns MDAs against unapproved extra budgetary spending

The Niger State House of Assembly has cautioned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) against extra budgetary spending without recourse to the House for approval.

The House Committee Chairman on Labour and Productivity, Malik Bosso, gave the warning on Friday when the head of the state civil service appeared before the committee for defence of the 20‎17 budget proposal.

Bosso said that many MDAs were in the habit of spending money without approval, adding that the Assembly would take drastic measures against erring MDAs.

“We will no longer accept any spending outside the budget; we have resolved to take actions against any MDA that is found guilty.

“We will take measures against such spending because it is unconstitutional,’’ he said.

The lawmaker urged MDAs to present to the Assembly a supplementary budget, if and when they would have cause to exceed their budgetary allocations.

“If you have excess money that you must spend outside what is approved, then come to us with a supplementary budget through the executive.

“The constitution provides that, if the amount for any purpose is insufficient, a supplementary budget showing the sum required should be forwarded to the House for consideration and approval,” he said.

Bosso also said the House had resolved that it would not screen the budget of MDAs whose heads failed to appear before it‎.