News Editor
By David Odama
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Tuesday presented Appropriation Bill of N156.6bn for 2024 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for approval.
Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, the Speaker of the House made this known during the House proceedings today in Lafia.
He said that the bill, if scaled through would enable the state government provide the much needed dividends of democracy to the people of the State.
“A Bill for a Law to Issue Out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State the Sum of One Hundred and Fifty-Six Billion, Six Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million, Four Hundred Seventy-Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty Naira, Ninety-Four Kobo(#156, 687,479,388,94) only(Supplementary/Amended Appropriation Bill, 2024) for the Services of Nasarawa State Government. First reading, the Speaker said.
Earlier, the Majority Leader of the House Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara moved a motion for the bill to scale first reading which was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader Hon. Onarigu Onah Kana.
The Governor’s latter reads “The Rt. Hon. Speaker may wish to note that the 2024 Appropriations was made with the view of having a realistic and implementable outcome in view of the economic uncertainty. The State noted with delight an improved inflow both from the Federation Accounts and Capital Receipts, predominantly, the NG-CARES Program for Result within the first 3 quarters of the fiscal year. To straighten the accounting records and to further incorporate the present Administration’s new plans in our infrastructural development across the State, it has become expedient for Government to prepare a Supplementary Budget for the 2024 fiscal year to accommodate the new policies, projects and programmes.
“At the outset, Government prepared the 2024 Budget of Renewed Commitment with the mind set of completing all on-going and new projects that have direct bearing in the lives of the people within the fiscal year. Due to the urgency demanded by these projects and programmes, budgetary provisions must be adjusted and reviewed to meet up with upcoming demands and hallenges due to alterations in the macroeconomic variables in the country.
“Accordingly, I present to the Honourable House of Assembly the Appropriation Bill of the sum of One Hundred And Fifty-Six Billion, Six Hundred And Eighty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty-Eight Naira, Ninety-Four Kobo (N156,687,479,388.94) only 2024 Supplementary/ Amended Appropriation to the earlier approved sum of One Hundred And Ninety-Nine Billion, Eight Hundred And Seventy-Nine Million, Three Hundred And Seventy Thousand, Seven Hundred And Nine Naira, Forty-Three Kobo (N199,879,370,709.43) only.
“Making A Total Of Three Hundred And Fifty-Six Billion, Five Hundred And Sixty-Six Million, Eight Hundred And Fifty Thousand, Ninety-Eight Naira, Thirty-Six Kobo (N356,566,850,098.36) only for the services of Nasarawa State Government to complement for the period commencing from 1st January 2024 And Ending 31st December, 2024”
It would be recalled that Governor Sule had in December 2023 presented 2024 Appropriation Bill of N199.8 billion to the House for approval.
it means that Nasarawa State Government will be spending N356.5 billion in 2024 if the supplementary budget is finally approved.
The Speaker Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau slated tomorrow Wednesday 6th November, 2024 for the second reading.
Also at the Tuesday’s plenary, the House passed into second reading A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment of Nasarawa State Youth Development Commission, Implementation of Sustainable Youth Policy and Other Matters Connected Therewith.
The private member bill is sponsored by the member representing Toto/Gadabuke constituency and Chairman House Committee on Youth and Sports Hon. Muhammed Garba Isimbabi.
Stating reasons why the bill should be read for the second time, the bill’s sponsor, Hon. Mohammed Garba Isimbabi said if passed into law, the envisaged commission aside improving youth empowerment and skills development, it will enhance social cohesion, stability, discover youth potential and libration as well as enable the State key into national and international youth initiatives.
“it will amplify the voice of youth where accurate data will be collated for policy formulation, know the statistics of Youths in the State both graduates, unemployed and out of school among others.
“As the Commission would create jobs opportunities for the youth and other people of the state” Hon Isimbabi said.
While contributing, other lawmakers who spoke Hon. Suleiman Azara the House Leader, Hon. Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, Hon. Solomon AKwashiki, Hon. Chum Aliyu Yusuf, Hon. Esson Mairiga, Hon. Hudu A Hudu, Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad and Hon. Ajegina Kudu said the bill, if allowed to scale through, will reduce social vices and make youth more productive for the development of the state.
The Lawmakers unanimously agreed to support the bill see the light of the day and it was passed for second reading.
The Speaker Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau committed the bill to the House Committee on Youth and Sports to be chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee Hon. Ibrahim Aliyu Nana and report back on 18th of this month.
Furthermore, during the plenary, the Chairman, House Standing Committee on Works and Transport, Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara presented a report on a Bill for a Law to Establish the Nasarawa State Fire and Rescue Service Agency to Provide for the Suppression of Fires, Rescue of Persons and Animals from Hazardous Situations and for Other Matters Connected Thereto.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Danladi Jatau slated 12th of November 2024 for deliberation on the report exercise.
