Governor of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has accented to the state’s 2023 Appropriation Bill of 571.6 billion naira.
The appropriation bill was signed when the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, principal officers of the House and the clerk Mrs Lyna Ocholor presented the bill and other nine bills passed into law by the House to him.
The 2023 budget comprises of 235.5 billion naira for recurrent expenditure and 336.1 billion naira as capital expenditure.
The governor also signed 9 other Bills, including The Delta State Manufacturing and Use of Cotonou Boats Bill, 2022, Delta State Public Finance Management Bill, 2022; Delta State HIV/AIDs Anti-discrimination, Prevention and Protection Bill, 2022; Delta State Waterways Tax, Control and Licensing of Boats (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2022. Others are Delta State Forfeiture of Property Bill, 2022; Delta State Maternal and Perinatal Deaths Surveillance and Response Bill, 2020; Delta State Passenger Welfare Scheme Repeal Bill, 2022; Delta State Administrative Procedure Bill, 2022 and the Delta State Transportation Data Management Bill, 2022.
In his remarks after signing the Bills, Governor Okowa assured Deltans that the state would strive to implement capital projects embedded in the 2023 budget as well as strive to complete some ongoing projects before the end of his tenure.
He commended the House of Assembly for their cooperation over the years, adding that his administration could not have achieved the much it did without the strong support of the Assembly and Deltans. On the other Bills signed into law, the Governor said they would contribute to the socio-economic development of the state and thanked the Assembly for their commitment to duty.
Governor Okowa used the forum to reel out the achievements of his administration in all sectors including tarring of over two thousand kilometres of roads,drains,bridges in both upland and riverine communities, establishment of three new universities,upgrade and establishment of schools,hospitals,training and empowerment of thousands of youths and women.
He advised critics of his administration especially the opposition party to join hands in celebrating the giant strides of his administration since 2015 till date as they have nothing to offer the State.
Presenting the Bills, the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Sherrif Oborevwori, said that the Bills went through all legislative process before being passed.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor and Members of the House for their support and cooperation over the years as the longest serving Speaker of the State House of Assembly. The Speaker who could not control his emotion said the bills were deliberate effort to make laws with positive impact on the State and its citizens stressing that the Delta State forfeiture of property bill 2022 would check crude oil theft and bunkering in the State.
It would be recalled that the appropriation bill presented to the House by Governor Okowa was 561 billion naira before it was increased to 571.6 naira by the House after proper scrutiny
0 Comments