….Passes two bills into second reading.
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has passed the 2023 appropriation bill of N149, 3billion into law against the initial N148.9 billion presented by Gov. Abdullahi Sule to the House for consideration and approval.
Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the House announced the passage of the bill into law during the House proceedings in Lafia today.
Balarabe Abdullahi said that the passed budget, if assented to by Gov. Sule would accelerate economic growth and development, thereby improving on the standard of living of the people of the state.
The Speaker urged the state government to ensure full implementation of the budget.
He also urged managements of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to adhere strictly to budgetary provisions in the interest of peace and development.
” A Bill for a Law to Authorize the Issue Out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State( Appropriation) on 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.
” N90, 619, 580, 459.56 as Recurrent Expenditure and N58, 696,363,748.06k as Capital Expenditure.
” The 2023 appropriation bill is read for the third term and passed, ” he said.
The House modified slightly the 2023 Budget of 148.9billion where Nasarawa State House of Assembly got upward review of 179.8 million naira, Nasarawa State House of Assembly Service Commission 45 million naira and Nasarawa State Polytechnic Lafia 40 million naira with 375 million deducted from the budget of State Waste Management and Sanitation Agency thus jerking up the budget to 149.3 billion naira with increase of 357.8million.
Abdullahi thanked Honourable members for their commitments in ensuring the speedy passage of the bill into law.
He also appreciated Heads of Ministries, Agencies and Departments ( MDAs) for giving standing committees their cooperation while defending their budgets.
He directed the clerk of the House to produce a clean copy of the bill for Gov. Sule’s assent.
He assured the executive arm of the House readiness to continuous to effectively synergize with them for the overall development of the State.
Hon Tanko Tunga, the Majority Leader of the House moved a motion for the passage of the bill into law.
Hon Abel Bala, the Minority Leader of the House seconded the motion.
The House unanimously passed the 2023 appropriation bill into law.
It would be reported that on Nov. 22, 2022, Gov. Abdullahi Sule presented 2023 budget of N148, 958, 122, 525.05 to the assembly for consideration and approval.
In a related development, the House passed two bills into second readings, they include
A Bill for A Law to Amend the Nasarawa State Area Courts Law 2022 and for Other Matters Related Therewith
The Speaker said,” I commit A Bill for A Law to Amend the Nasarawa State Area Courts Law 2022 and for Other Matters Related Therewith to the House Committee on Judiciary to work on its and report back to the House after 3 weeks on resumption from our recess,” he said.
“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 to the House Committee on Women Affairs in conjunction with House Committee on Public Account to work on the bill and report back to the House after two weeks on resumption from our recess,” he said
Hon Tanko Tunga, the Majority Leader of the House while moving motions for the two bills to scale second readings said that it was to enhance effective dispensation of justice as only professional legal practitioner, who have been call to bar would be a Judge of Area Courts and the other bill was to tackle poverty, hunger and ensure equitable distribution of resources in the state.
Hon Abel Bala, the Minority Leader of the House seconded the motions.
The House unanimously passed the two bills into second readings.
