Less than two weeks after Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, presented the 2023 estimated budget to state House of Assembly, lawmakers have passed the budget to the tune of over N173 billions.
The budget, which was earlier pegged at N172, 734, 537,459.40 by the governor, was increased to N173,234, 537,459.40, with a difference of about N500 million.
The bill was passed, yesterday, following adoption of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation report during plenary.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the passage, the Speaker, Joseph Kunini, said the increase became necessary to carry along the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).
The Speaker, who noted that the budget was increased by N500 million, observed that no fund was allocated to SIEC in the budget earlier presented to the House by the state governor.
Kunini noted that the additional funds, as envisaged by members, would enable the leadership of SIEC to conduct local council elections across the 16 local councils of the state.
On why an accelerated passage was given to the budget, which was presented to the House barely two weeks ago, the Speaker said that the aim is to enable the state government continue with its developmental projects.
Also, citing the forthcoming Christmas celebrations, Kunini noted that fast tracking action on the appropriation bill became necessary to enable members embark on recess.
The budget, which is Christened ‘Budget of Fulfilled Rescue Mission And Transition,’ it would be recalled, the governor said was a “product of inter agency collaboration, extensive stakeholder consultation and productive engagements.”
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