The Delta House of Assembly on Wednesday approved the 71 billion naira state supplementary budget for 2023 for the fiscal year ending December 2023.
He News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the figure is made up of N5.6 billion for recurring expenditures and N65.5 billion for capital expenditures.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who has less than 12 days left to finish his term, sent the budget through a letter read during the plenary session on Tuesday by the vice president, Christopher Ochor.
Mr. Okowa stated that there was a projected increase in some tax revenue.
He also explained that the supplemental budget became necessary for the allocation to pay for some critical projects and government activities, as well as to fund ongoing projects across the state.
Leading the debate, Majority Leader Ferguson Onwo praised the governor for the initiative.
Mr Onwo said the budget was earmarked for the completion of ongoing development projects in the state.
Therefore, he urged his colleagues to ensure speedy approval of the budget.
Anthony Elekeokwuri (Ika North East), who also praised the initiative, said the budget was aimed at improving the well-being of the citizenry.
Other legislators who supported the budget included Solomon Ighrakpata, (Uvwie), Rueben Izeze, (Ughelli South) and Emeka Nwaobi, (Aniocha North).
Subsequently, the Majority Leader filed a motion to suspend the relevant sections of the House Rules to allow it to take the third reading and passage of the bill.
The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the House, was seconded by Mr. Ighrakpata.
The members approved it after a voice vote in their favour.
The co-speaker praised lawmakers for the speedy passage of the bill.
He said it was incumbent on the House to pass the bill quickly to achieve his goal.
“I therefore thank you for recognizing the importance of this bill and its successful passage.
“Dear colleagues, we have just fulfilled one of our constitutional responsibilities to the people of Delta,” Mr. Ochor said.
The oil-rich Delta is among states that received billions of naira from the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as reimbursement for the arrears of 13 percent of oil-derived money withheld by the federal government since 1999 .
The refund became public when Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike revealed that his administration had received Rivers’ share of the money.
(YAYA)