Gov Lalong Presents 2023 Budget Proposal of Over N139B to Assembly

Gov Lalong Presents 2023 Budget Proposal of Over N139B to Assembly

Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has presented an estimated Budget of N139,357,144,980.38 billion only for the 2023 fiscal year before the State Assembly.

Presenting the budget on the floor of the House today Friday, Lalong said the proposed budget which is tagged “Budget of Infrastructural Consolidation and Transition” was proposed to spend having considered the plight of the citizens.

“Having considered the plight of citizens, Government is proposing to spend the sum of One Hundred and Thirty-Nine Billion, Three Hundred and Fifty-Seven Million, One Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty Naira, Thirty-Eight Kobo (N139,357,144,980.38) only in the 2023 fiscal year.” he said.

The amount presented consists of Seventy-Seven Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty Million, Six Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Thirty Naira, Eight-Five Kobo (N77,650,642,030.85) only as recurrent expenditure, representing 55.72% of the total budget, and Sixty-One Billion, Seven Hundred and Six Million, Five Hundred and Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira, Fifty-Three Kobo (N61,706,502,949.53) only as capital component which represents 44.27% of the total budget. 

This shows an increase of Thirty-Two Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight Naira, Twenty-Six Kobo (N32,649,877,338.26) only on the 2022 approved estimate which was (N106,807,267,642.12) only.

Responding, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda assured the governor of the House readiness and commitment to accord the bill the desired attention and seriousness it deserves.

“In doing this, we will pay close attention to details, guided by the legislative requirement of due diligence and thorough scrutiny, given that this is a budget aimed at consolidating the infrastructural facilities of the state and ensures a peaceful transition to the next government ” he said.

The Speaker warned that the House will not hesitate to call for sanction of any public officer who fails to meet his or her constitutional obligations including the failure to do their paper work as and when due. He said all Commissioners, Chief Executives as well as Heads of MDAs are required to appear in person during the Budget Defense Exercise as they will not tolerate any flimsy excuse.

Today’s Budget presentation is the last budget to be presented by the rescue administration under the leadership of Governor Simon Lalong as his tenure ends next year.

Those who accompanied the governor at the budget presentation were the state Executive members, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, Former Deputy Speaker of the 8th State Assembly and member representing Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam, PKK, Yusuf Gagdi, APC State Chairman, Rufus Bature, APC Governorship Candidate Nentawe Yilwatda, former speakers of the House, Chief Judge, Grand Khadi among others.

The House had earlier before the budget presentation, screened and confirmed the nomination of Mr. Aaron Mwelsen Pyelshak as Auditor General for Local Government as requested by the cg Governor. Also, 3 bills passed first reading during the plenary on Friday.