Delta State House of Assembly, Thursday approved a budget size of N725 Billion for services of the State Government for 2024 fiscal year.
The approved budget envelope shows an excess of N10. 5 Billion higher than the N714 Billion earlier amount presented to the House two weeks ago by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
The third reading of the Appropriation bill was sequel to the receipt of the report of the Hon Marylyn Okowa-Daramola led Committee on Finance and Appropriations at plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
Presenting the report of the Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriations, Hon Marylyn Okowa-Daramola, noted that the committee after a careful legislative consideration on the proposed budget, decided to make some slight upward review in line with the contemporary economic realities.
Okowa-Daramola said the approved budget size revealed a significant increase in the proposed capital expenditure from N397.8 Billion to N408.3 Billion.
On recurrent expenditure, the Lawmaker who represents Ika North East in the House, announced a budget size of N316.6 Billion as against the earlier proposed budget envelope of N316.5 Billion.
Hon Okowa-Daramola stated that the year 2024 budget belongs to the present time and it’s in line with M.O.R.E agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
“The year 2024 budget belongs to the present time and it’s in line with His Excellency’s M.O.R.E agenda.
“Indeed, it is budget of “Hope and Optimism” And, on this note the finance and appropriation committee hereby submits the appropriation bill 2024 as amended for consideration by this honourable house ” Okowa-Daramola said.
According to Okowa-Daramola, the increased figure is aimed at funding some critical sectors of the State which included; the health sector, works, urban renewal, among others.
The House, haven dissolved itself into committee on Supply as chaired by the Speaker, examined the Finance and appropriation report as presented clause by clause just as relevant amendments were effected.
The report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriations was subsequently received following a motion to that effect by the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi and adopted.
The Lawmakers then suspended relevant sections of the house rules to enable it scrutinize the budget further at the Committee on Supply, chaired by the Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor.
At the Committee of Supply, the Lawmakers made further amendments on the Appropriation Bill, leading to the motion for its third reading and subsequent passage.
Speaking shortly after the third reading of the bill, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor noted that the passage of the bill is in line with the global practice, noting that the implementation of the bill would greatly enhance the overall well being of Deltans.
He said “Distinguished colleagues, I sincerely thank all of you for a job well done. We have successfully discharged the key function of authorising Government expenditures in line with the provisions of Section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered).
“From the First reading of this Bill to its final Passage, you all worked diligently through the various sub-committees of the Finance and Appropriations Committee to ensure the successful passage of this Bill. And for this, I cannot thank you enough.
“I am very confident that the timely passage of this Bill is in keeping with Global best practices, and that Delta State is on a good start to year 2024. I also firmly believe that this Bill will greatly impact the lives of Deltans and will move Delta State forward in terms of infrastructure and human capital development in line with the MORE Agenda of our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff F.O Oborevwori.
While commending the lawmakers for their diligence and legislative ingenuity in the passage of the bill, Rt. Hon. Guwor also, lauded the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for the timeous presentation of the 2024 budget.
“At this juncture, I wish to deeply appreciate His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff F.O Oborevwori for presenting a Budget of Hope and Optimism for Deltans and in a similar vein, I wish to say a big thank you to all Honourable Members and the staff of the Assembly for the passage of the Appropriation Bill, 2024.
“Finally, I wish to state that today we have passed the Appropriation Bill, 2024 with a total Budget size of N724,979,313,867.00 (Seven Hundred and Twenty Four Billion, Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Three Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty Seven Naira”, Guwor stated.