The Delta State Appropriation Bill totaling N714.7 billion for the services of the state government for the 2024 fiscal year, has successfully passed second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
House Leader Emeka Nwaobi spearheaded deliberations on the merits of the Money Bill during the Assembly’s recent plenary session, chaired by Speaker Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
Presented to the Lawmakers by Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who performed his duty for the first time as Governor of Delta State.
The proposed financial law, christened the “Budget of Hope and Optimism,” in line with the Governor’s Social Contract with the people, is made up of N316.6 Billion, representing 44 percent of the total budget as recurrent expenditure and N397.9 Billion naira, representing 56 per cent of the total budget as capital expenditure.
During the debates, House Leader Emeka Nwaobi emphasized Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to positioning Delta State for rapid socio-economic transformation, who had during his electioneering campaigns promised Deltans MORE.
Nwaobi stressed that besides consolidating on achievements of the immediate past administration in the state, every sector of the Delta State economy were captured in the budget to stimulate unhindered development and growth in the state.
He said that funding the budget would not pose a challenge, citing articulated revenue sources detailed in the appropriation bill. He highlighted the importance of prudent implementation and financial discipline as envisioned in the financial document would further strengthen public confidence and support for the PDP led government in Delta State.
The Majority Leader, along side the Deputy Speaker, Arthur Akpowowo, member representing Bomadi Constituency, Oboro Preyor and his counterpart for Warri South I, Austin Uroye, maintained that the 2024 budget is geared to restore hope to Deltans, alleviate poverty and encourage steady growth in every sector of the economy, including the non-oil sector.
Others in their individual contributions, described provisions in the proposed budget as vision driven geared towards speedy development and well defined economic reforms.
They said the proposed financial law would curb wastages in governance as it was drafted to strategically identify key areas of needs that would promote efficiency, enhance quality of lives and infrastructure as well as reduce poverty in the state.
The lawmakers who were unanimous in asking for speedy conclusion of legislative process on the appropriation bill, also agreed that the 2024 budget proposals, contained fundamental elements for development, emphasizing that the assumptions are real and projections achievable.
Speaker Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor praised the lawmakers for their robust debate on the appropriation bill, commending their dedication to the state’s growth and development. The Speaker referred the Bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, alongside all other standing committees as sub committees, to report back to the House by Wednesday, December 13th, 2023.
READ ALSO: Oborevwori presents 2024 Appropriation Bill of N714.4bn to Delta Assembly
