Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N150 billion for second reading.
Also passed for second reading at plenary was a bill to amend Traditional Rulers Law, Cap. 155 Laws of Akwa Ibom State 2022, and for other matters connected therewith.
This was after the lawmakers debated the general principle of the supplementary budget, shortly after the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikak-abasi Orok, read Governor Umo Eno’s letter seeking the approval of the budget.
The Supplementary Appropriation Bill requested lawmakers to consider and authorize the Governor to issue out N50,310,140,850.00 (Fifty Billion, three hundred and ten million, one hundred and forty thousand, eight hundred and fifty Naira only from the consolidated revenue fund and N99,689,859,150.00 (Ninety-nine billion, six hundred and fifty Naira) from the capital development fund, totalling N150 billion.
A breakdown of the figure shows a recommended N50,310,140,850 being proposed for recurrent expenditure, while 99,689,859,150 is for capital expenditure.
The two Executive bills were received by the lawmakers following a motion moved by the Deputy Leader of the House and member representing Nsit-Ubium State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob and seconded by Chief Whip of the House, Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson.
Leading debate on the general principles of the supplementary appropriation bill, Deputy House Leader, Barr. Otobong Bob urged his colleagues to give the bill the necessary support to enable the Executive arm meet its obligation, especially for critical projects.
He highlighted environment and erosion control projects, road Infrastructure, health care, education, rural development, agriculture and security which are captured in the ARISE AGENDA of the current administration, as some key areas the supplementary budget seeks to address.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong committed the bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative action.
