Banner Online News

With about 13 days to the end of his two-term tenure, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is asking the Delta State House of Assembly to approve a supplementary appropriation bill to enable him spend N71 billion.

The governor’s request is contained in a letter to the House of Assembly, which was read yesterday at plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ochor Christopher Ochor who presided at the plenary.

The supplementary appropriation bill is made up of N5.6 billion for recurrent expenditure, and N65.5 billion for capital expenditure for the year ending December 2023.

Governor Okowa in the letter said there has been actual and projected increase in some fiscal receipts, pointing out that the supplementary budget became necessary for appropriation to pay for some critical projects and activities of government as well as fund ongoing projects across the state in the year 2023.

In the light of the foregoing, the Governor said he would greatly appreciate it if the draft 2023 supplementary appropriation bill is given immediate necessary approval.

The supplementary appropriation bill was read for the first time following a motion by the Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo, and adopted.

Also at plenary, the House Joint Committee on Rules, Business, Legal and Judicial Matters and Special Committee on Bills presented their report on a bill to provide for the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots in Delta State.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of, House Committee on Rules, Business, Legal and Judicial Matters, Hon Charles Oniyere said the joint committee worked tirelessly to deliver within the allotted time frame given to it.

Hon Oniyere disclosed that after meticulous examination and scrutiny of the bill, the committee made some far-reaching recommendations for the approval of the House.

The report is to be considered at the committee of whole at the next sitting of the House.