The Delta State Appropriation Bill 2021 has scaled through the second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
The House Majority Leader, Tim Owhefere led debate on the merits of the bill at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Sherrif Oborevwori who represents Okpe Constituency in the House.
Hon Owhefere, Isoko North, described the 2021 Appropriation Bill christened “Budget of Recovery” as realistic, saying that the import and intendment of the bill is very explicit.
The lawmaker noted that if passed, signed into law and implemented, the proposed budget would accelerate infrastructural development, hastened recovery process of the effects of Covid 19 pandemic, galvanized the social welfare of the people and enhance health care delivery in the state among others.
Owhefere explained that the 378 billion naira budget will take care of projects that will impact on the wellbeing of Deltans as well trigger off new wave of other positive development in the state.
The Deputy Speaker, Ochor Christopher Ochor, Minority Leader, Innocent Anidi, Chief Whip, Pat Ajudua, Deputy Majority Leader, Oboro Preyor, Deputy Chief Whip, Solomon Ighrakpata and Majority Whip, Festus Okoh, stressed that the budget is christened along the reality of the times and commended the flexibility of the money document.
The lawmakers stated that there are so much benefits in the budget as projections were well articulated and targeted towards development of key infrastructure, job and wealth creation and implementation of all other people’s oriented policies of the Okowa’s led administration in the state.
In their contributions, Hon Emeka Nwaobi, Aniocha North, Austin Chikezie, Aniocha South, Anthony Elekeokwuri, Ika North East, Asupa Forteta, Burutu 1, Pullah Ekpotuareyin, Burutu 2, Ferguson Onwo, Isoko South 2 and Charles Emetulu, Ndokwa West, described the merits of the proposed Appropriation law as enormous, stressing that the parameters for the funding of the budget were realizable.
The legislators said the budget would give hope to the youths and vulnerable, particularly through job creation and social responsibility to the widows.
For their parts, Hon Emmanuel Sinebe, Patani, Shedrack Rapu, Oshimili South, Felix Anira, Sapele, Peter Uviejitobor, Udu, Charlse Onyinye, Ughelli North 1, Reuben Izeze, Ughelli South, Austin Uroye, Warri South 1 and Emomotimi Guwor, Warri SouthWest, also commended the reality of highlighted funding sources for the budget which they say were in tune with modern day realities.
The lawmakers expressed satisfactions that provisions were made for the completion of ongoing projects and the commencement of new ones, maintaining that all the sectors of the state economy were well captured in the proposed appropriation law.
No Member spoke against the bill.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Sherrif Oborevwori who commended the robust debates of the bill by members, subsequently referred the bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation and all other standing committees of the house as sub committees for further legislative actions.
The Finance and Appropriation Committee is expected to submit its report on 10th November 2021 when the House will reconvene for plenary.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had on Tuesday, presented a proposed budget of three hundred and seventy eight point four billion naira for the services of Delta State in the 2021 fiscal year.
The budget is made up of one hundred and seventy one point three billion for recurrent expenditures and two hundred and seven point five billion naira for capital expenditures.
