Gov Sule seeks Assembly’s approval of N8.67bn supplementary budget

Governor of Nasarawa state, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has sent N8.67billion 2021 supplementary budget to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

Speaker of the Assembly, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, who read the governor’s request during the House proceedings in Lafia, yesterday said the supplemently bill was to ensure the completion of ongoing projects in the state.

“A Bill for a Law to issue out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State ( Supplementary Appropriation Bill) of the sum of N5, 975, 076, 812.86 and a virement ( Re- Allocation/ Adjustment ) of N2,690,023,000 only for the services of Nasarawa State Government scaled first and second readings.

“I commit the bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation to work on it and report back to the House on Oct. 19, 2021”.

Earlier, Hon Tanko Tunga ( APC, Awe North) , Majority Leader of the House, moved a motion for the bill to scale first and second readings respectively and was seconded by Hon. Abel Bala ( PDP, Nassarawa Eggon West), the Minority Leader of the House.

The House unanimously passed the bill into first and second readings after Hon Muhammed Okpoku (APC, Udege/Loko) spoke in favour of it.

Recall that, on Dec.31, 2020, the state governor signed the state N115.7 billion 2021 budget into law.

He had explained that the signing of the budget tagged ‘Budget of Economic Recuperation’ would enable the state begin the constitutional 12-months budget circle, starting from Jan.1 and ending on Dec. 31.

In a related development, the House passed into first reading, “A Bill for a Law to Establish the State Security Trust Fund in Nasarawa State and Other Related Matters Therewith”.

The Speaker also slated Oct. 20, 2021 for the second reading of the bill.