AWKA – The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed into law, the 2015 Appropriation Bill of over N164 billion, subject to amendment made in some sectoral allocations.
The Chairman of Finance and Appropriation Committee, Miss Nikky Ugochukwu, presented its report in Awka on Wednesday during its plenary session.
The chairman explained that after a thorough examination of the provisions in the budget, the estimated overhead cost was reduced from N282 million to N82 million.
According to her, the overhead cost of the office of the Secretary to the State Government was slashed from N855 million to N755 million.
That of the Executive Governor’s Office was increased from N16.77 billion to N17.74 billion.
The financial estimate for Anambra State Lands Information Management System was also changed from N100 million to N30 million while the financial provision for completion/expansion of the ministry’s headquarters building was hiked from N30 million to N100 million.
Ugochukwu said that the committee swung into action and issued a time table for bilateral budget discussion between the House Standing Committee and various ministries, departments and agencies.
She said that the report was based on the budget defence and hearing which were concluded and after thorough examination of the provisions in the budget, decisions was reached
In her speech, the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Mrs Chinwe Nwaebili, thanked the members for having worked assiduously towards the passage of the budget so early as to enable the governor to implement them for the betterment of the state.
Nwaebili said that the legislative arm had done its bit and encouraged the government to ensure later implementation of the budget to give a sense of new direction to the people.
“ The governor will have no reason not to give quality service to `Ndi Anambra’ as we have given him the tool with which to change lives in the state,” she said.
She said that efforts must be made to ensure the implementation of the budget.
Also contributing, the member representing Orumba North (APGA), Mr Romanus Obi, described the bill as the fastest in terms of its passage and observed the positive impact it would have in the overall development of the state.
Mr Ebele Ejiofor (APGA Anaocha1) said that the legislators decided to spare their time in spite of the political process going on in the state, to discharge this responsibility and maintain the current developments.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that the budget was passed with the majority of the ruling party members as the APC and PDP members were absent due to their involvement in political activities of their parties
Gov. Willie Obiano presented the bill to the legislature on Nov. 24 and the lawmakers assured him of speedy passage. (NAN)
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