News
Nasarawa Assembly passes 2023 budget into law, jerks its up by N357.8millon
“… passes two bills into second reading…”
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has passed the 2023 appropriation bill of N149, 3billion into law against the initial N148.9 billion presented by Gov. Abdullahi Sule to the House for consideration and approval.
Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the House announced the passage of the bill into law during the House proceedings in Lafia today.
Balarabe Abdullahi said that the passed budget, if assented to by Gov. Sule would accelerate economic growth and developmemt, thereby improving on the standard of living of the people of the state.
The Speaker urged the state government to ensure full implementation of the budget.
He also urged managements of Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs) to adhere strictly to budgetary provisions in the interest of peace and development.
” A Bill for a Law to Authorize the Issue Out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State( Appropriation) on the sum of N149, 315, 944, 207.62k for the Services of Nasarawa State Government to Complement for the Period Commencing From 1st January, 2023 and Ending 31st December, 2023.
” N90, 619, 580, 459.56 as Recurrent Expenditure and N58, 696,363,748.06k as Capital Expenditure.
” The 2023 appropriation bill is read for the third term and passed, ” he said.
The House modified slightly the 2023 Budget of 148.9billion where Nasarawa State House of Assembly got upward review of 179.8 million naira, Nasarawa State House of Assembly Service Commission 45 million naira and Nasarawa State Polytechnic Lafia 40 million naira with 375 million deducted from the budget of State Waste Management and Sanitation Agency thus jerking up the budget to 149.3 billion naira with increase of 357.8million.
Abdullahi thanked Honourable members for their commitments in ensuring the speedy passage of the bill into law.
He also appreciated Heads of Ministries, Agencies and Departments ( MDAs) for giving standing committees their cooperation while defending their budgets.
He directed the clerk of the House to produce a clean copy of the bill for Gov. Sule’s assent.
He assured the executive arm of the House readiness to continous to effectively synergize with them for the overall development of the State.
Hon Tanko Tunga, the Majority Leader of the House moved a motion for the passage of the bill into law.
Hon Abel Bala, the Minority Leader of the House seconded the motion.
The House unanimously passed the 2023 appropriation bill into law.
It would be reported that on Nov. 22, 2022, Gov. Abdullahi Sule presented 2023 budget of N148, 958, 122, 525.05 to the assembly for consideration and approval.
In a related development, the House passed two bills into second readings, they include
A Bill for A Law to Amend the Nasarawa State Area Courts Law 2022 and for Other Matters Related Therewith
The Speaker said,” I commit A Bill for A Law to Amend the Nasarawa State Area Courts Law 2022 and for Other Matters Related Therewith to the House Committee on Judiciary to work on its and report back to the House after 3 weeks on resumption from our recess,” he said.
” I committee A Bill for A Law to Establish the Nasarawa State Social Investment Agency Charged with the Responsibility of Tackling Poverty, Ensuring Equitable Distribution of Resources and Economic Growth in the State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith to the House Committee on Women Affairs in conjunction with House Committee on Public Account to work on the bill and report back to the House after two weeks on resumption from our recess,” he said
Hon Tanko Tunga, the Majority Leader of the House while moving motions for the two bills to scale second readings said that it was to enhance effective dispensation of justice as only professional legal practitioner, who have been call to bar would be a Judge of Area Courts and the other bill was to tackle poverty, hunger and ensure equitable distribution of resources in the state.
Hon Abel Bala, the Minority Leader of the House seconded the motions.
The House unanimously passed the two bills into second readings.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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