ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Enugu State’s proposed 2024 budget of ₦521.6bn has successfully passed the second reading at the State House of Assembly.
During Tuesday’s plenary, Iloabuchi Aniagu (PDP, Nkanu West), the leader of the House, emphasized the significance of the appropriation bill, stating that the efficient functioning of the government hinges on its approval by lawmakers.
Aniagu lauded the budget, titled “Budget of Disruptive Economic Growth,” as a groundbreaking allocation, marking the first time the state has set ₦521.6bn as its budget estimate.
He commended Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to transforming the economic and social landscape of the state.
Highlighting the budget’s emphasis on capital expenditure over recurrent expenditure, Aniagu expressed enthusiasm for the inclusive development initiatives, including the construction of 260 Smart schools and Type II Primary Health Centre (PHC) in every ward of the state.
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While Okey Mba (PDP, Nkanu East), concurred with Aniagu’s remarks, noting the budget’s alignment with Governor Mbah’s vision to elevate the state’s GDP from $4.4bn to $30bn, Harrison Ogara (LP, Igbo-Eze South), voiced skepticism about the ambitious 2024 budget.
Ogara, citing the state’s 2023 revenue of just over ₦100bn, questioned the feasibility of generating ₦252bn and urged colleagues to scrutinize the budget critically.
Lebechi Eze (LP, Isi-Uzo), raised concerns about the ₦3bn allocated to the House of Assembly in 2024, deeming it insufficient compared to other government arms.
Obiajulu Ugwu (LP, Enugu South Rural), urged the state to prioritize functionalizing existing PHCs over building new ones, expressing regret about the lack of provisions for shelter for Gender-based violence (GBV) victims.
In response, Speaker Chief Uche Ugwu instructed committees to conduct budget defense sessions, aiming to pass the budget by the year’s end.
The House adjourned its plenary to 21 December, 2024, for further legislative deliberations.