- * Passes Two Bills Into Second Reading
By David Odama (In Lafia, Nasarawa State)
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed into law the 2023 appropriation bill of N148.9 billion and jerked the Bill to N149.8 billion.
Recall that Governor Abdullahi Sule had on November 22nd this year presented 2023 budget of N148, 958, 122, 525.05 to the Assembly for consideration and approval.
The State House of Assembly Speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, announced the passage of the budget after the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Daniel Ogazi, moved a motion for the passage of the bill at plenary in Lafia
According to Balarabe Abdullahi, the budget, when assented to by Governor Sule, would accelerate economic growth and development as well as touch on the lives of the citizens..
The Speaker while urging the state government to ensure full implementation of the budget, also urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to adhere strictly to budgetary provisions in the interest of development.
"A Bill for a Law to Authorize the Issuance of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State (Appropriation) in the sum of N149, 315, 944, 207.62k for the Services of Nasarawa State Government to Complement for the Period Commencing From 1st January, 2023 and Ending 31st December, 2023.
He said N90, 619, 580, 459.56 was Recurrent Expenditure, while N58, 696,363,748.06k stood as Capital Expenditure, adding that the 2023 appropriation bill is read.
The House modified the 2023 Budget of 148.9billion with an upward review of N179.8 million naira, with Nasarawa State House of Assembly Service Commission getting N45 million naira, Nasarawa State Polytechnic, N40 million naira while N375 million was deducted from the budget of the State Waste Management and Sanitation Agency, thus jerking the budget to N149.3 billion naira with an increase of N357.8 million.
The Speaker who thanked the members for their commitments in ensuring the speedy passage of the bill into law, however appreciated Heads of Ministries, Agencies and Departments of government for standing by the committees while defending their budgets.
The Speaker, who directed the Clerk of the House to produce a clean copy of the bill for Governor Sule's assent, assured the executive arm of the House readiness to effectively synergize with the two arms of the government for the overall development of the State.
Meanwhile, a Bill for a Law to Establish the Nasarawa State Social Investment Agency charged with the Responsibility of Tackling Poverty, Ensuring Equitable Distribution of Resources and Economic Growth in the State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith passed the second reading. NNL.
