The Delta State House of Assembly on Wednesday approved a supplementary budget of N71 billion presented to it by outgoing Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, barely 13 days to the end of his tenure in office.
In his letter to the Assembly, Okowa said, “May I wish to note that there has been actual and projected increase in some fiscal receipts. Consequently, 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, it would be greatly appreciated if the draft 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill is placed before the House at its earliest convenience for consideration and passing into law.”
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Christopher Ochor, who presided over the plenary, said the budget was made up of N5.6 billion for recurrent expenditure and N65.5bn for capital expenditure.
The Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo, moved a motion for the first reading of the budget which was unanimously adopted when put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker.
The supplementary Appropriation Bill was read the second time on Wednesday and was passed into law by the House just 12 days before the end of Okowa’s administration.
