By Our Correspondent
Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has signed into law the state 2021 Appropriation Bill pegged at N115, 722, 814, 343. 31, with the Governor setting aside N7, 017, 732, 031, representing 6.06% of the budget for the Consolidated Revenue Fund, for debt servicing and payment of pension and gratuity.
Engineer Sule signed the 2021 budget into law at a ceremony at the Government House on Wednesday.
The Governor emphasized that his administration will continue to execute its vision and mission, as encapsulated in the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS), as it relates to education, health, agriculture, security, economic empowerment and general infrastructure.
Engineer Sule said the signing of the document into law, will afford his administration the opportunity to begin the constitutional 12-months budget circle implementation, commencing from 1st January to 31st December, 2021.
The Governor showed appreciation to the Speaker and other members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, for according the Bill the desired relevance and attention, further commending the synergy and partnership towards the collective responsibility to provide leadership and execute policies and programmes for the progress and development of the state.
“I have no doubt that, we will continue to work together more closely towards the realization of our common goals and the execution of people oriented programmes and policies geared towards the overall development of the state,” he stated.
Recall that the Governor presented an initial 2021 Appropriation Bill pegged at N112, 923, 174, 543 before the state assembly but after thorough scrutiny, the assembly increased the 2021 Appropriation Bill by 2.48% to N115, 722, 814, 343. 31.
A breakdown of the 2021 Appropriation Bill indicate that N53, 874, 156, 817, representing 46.55% was set aside for recurrent expenditure, while N54, 830, 925, 495, amounting to 47.38%, was earmarked for capital expenditure.
Earlier, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, while presenting the appropriation bill passed by the assembly before the Governor, recalled that Engineer Sule presented the Bill before the assembly on 17th November, 2020, with the legislature commencing the process of legislation and accordingly passed the Bill into law on 21st December, 2021.
While using the opportunity to welcome the Governor from his successful trip to the United States, the Speaker equally appreciated heads of MDAs, for their cooperation and support, which made the work of the assembly easier.
