Less Than 13 Days To Hand Over, Okowa Presents N71 Billion Supplementary Appropriation To Delta Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

While some outgoing governors are working on hand over notes, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has forwarded a supplementary appropriation bill of N71 billion to the State House of Assembly for legislative approval.

The bill, which was forwarded to the assembly on Tuesday, was contained in a letter to the House, and read by the Deputy Speaker, Ochor Christopher Ochor who presided over Tuesday’s plenary.

This is coming less than 13 days to the end of the governor’s two term tenure of eight years.

The supplementary appropriation bill is made up of N5.6 billion for recurrent expenditure, and N65.5 billion for capital expenditure for the year ending December 2023.

Governor Okowa in the letter said there has been actual and projected increase in some fiscal receipts.

According to him, the supplementary budget has become necessary for appropriation to pay for some critical projects and activities of government as well as fund ongoing projects across the state in year 2023.

In the light of the foregoing, the Governor said he would greatly appreciate if the draft 2023 supplementary appropriation bill is given immediate necessary approval.

The supplementary appropriation bill was read for the first time following a motion by the Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo and adopted.

Also at plenary, the House Joint Committee on Rules, Business, Legal and Judicial Matters and Special Committee on Bills presented its report on a bill to provide for the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots in Delta State.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Charles Oniyere said the joint committee worked tirelessly to deliver within the allotted time frame given to it.

Oniyere disclosed that after meticulous examination and scrutiny of the bill, the committee made some far reaching recommendations for the approval of the House.

The report is to be considered at the committee of whole at the next sitting of the House.