The Delta State House of Assembly has passed an additional supplementary Appropriation Bill of N166.5 billion for the fiscal year ending December 31.
The latest supplementary budget was passed during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Emomotimi Dennis Guwor after it was read the third time.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had forwarded the additional supplementary appropriation bill to the House for consideration and possible passage.
Earlier, while leading debates on the merits of the proposed new law, House Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, noted that the additional supplementary appropriation bill became necessary as it would enable the current administration to continue to deliver on its M.O.R.E agenda as well as kickstart some other critical projects.
Nwaobi, who represents Aniocha North Constituency in the House, explained that the governor had again, exhibited his respect for the rule of law, hence the bill to the House for approval before embarking on any additional expenditures in the course of governing the state.
The Majority Leader stressed that early passage of the bill would fast-track the completion of some ongoing projects, including roads, across the three senatorial districts in the state.
Nwaobi added that the proposed law would also enhance peace and security in the state as well as boost socio-economic development.
In their contributions, Emmanuel Sinebe representing Patani; Perkins Umukoro representing Sapele; Charles Emetulu representing Ndokwa West; and Ferguson Onwo representing Isoko South II, expressed happiness over the improvement in revenue streams of the state, which necessitated an amendment to the supplementary budget.
While highlighting the gains of additional budgetary allocation to some ongoing critical projects in the state as well as awards of new ones, the lawmakers said the M.O.R.E agenda of the state government is on course and needed all the support from the State Assembly.
In the final analysis, the Speaker, Guwor, said the House has again displayed its constitutional responsibilities towards ensuring improved living standards for Deltans.
Guwor lauded the governor for initiating the additional supplementary appropriation bill as well as his genuine commitment to advancing the state to a new level of development.
With the additional supplementary appropriation, the revised recurrent expenditure now stands at N287.5 billion while the revised capital expenditure would be N521.8 billion, for the 2023 fiscal year.
(Punch)