Some governors have unveiled their budgets to kick start activities in 2023, marking the beginning of normalising the year to year budget system.
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, of Abia on Saturday signed the state N160bn 2023 Appropriation Bill into law.
The governor in November presented a budget of N157bn to the State House of Assembly for approval.
Speaking shortly after signing the document in Aba, Ikpeazu commended members of the State House of Assembly on their efforts toward ensuring that the state operates on a January to December budget cycle in line with global best practices.
He said the budget would be effectively implemented to strengthen the five point agenda of the state government under his watch for increased socioeconomic development and create a launchpad for the new administration come May 29.
Ikpeazu, however, charged revenue generating agencies to intensify efforts toward improving the internally generated revenue of the state and ensure that revenue leaks are effectively plugged.
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi also assented to the State’s 2023 appropriation bill of N172billion approved by the State House of Assembly.
Bello, who signed the bill at the Lugard House, Lokoja, on Friday, commended the doggedness and patriotism of the lawmakers and staffers of the assembly.
The budget is made up N101 billion as recurrent expenditure and N70. 74 billion as capital expenditure.
The governor, who appreciated the efforts of the lawmakers in passing the bill in record time, appreciated the cordial relationship between his administration and the Legislative arm of government.
“I wish to commend the doggedness and patriotism of the lawmakers in ensuring that the right thing is done always, which has helped in moving the state forward.
“It’s a fact that the synergy between the three arms of government in the state will continue to yield positive results as evident in the smooth running of government and implementation of policies and programmes.
“By God’s grace, my administration will continue to foster unity amongst the three arms of government for the growth and development of Kogi.
“To this end, I wish assure you our lawmakers and the people of Kogi that my administration will ensure the full implementation of the budget in line with available resources, ” the governor said.
Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti also signed the state’s N113.6 billion 2023 budget into law on Friday at Ado-Ekiti.
Speaking after signing the budget, Oyebanji commended members of the House of Assembly for promoting robust and harmonious relationship between the Legislative and the Executive arms of government.
The budget is christened: “Budget of Strong Beginning”.
The governor expressed gratitude to the Legislature for its cohesiveness and for passing the 2023 Appropriation Bill in record time.
In Plateau state, Gov. Simon Lalong also signed the 2023 Appropriation bill of ₦149.9 billion into law.
The governor while signing the bill at Government House Jos, said it was part of his administration’s commitment to the good of Plateau people.
“ This is our adminstration’s last budget and we promise that we will to do our best for the people. We remain committed to its implementation,” he said.
He thanked the Plateau House of Assembly (PLHA) for their inputs in the budget and prayed for resources for its implementation.
He also thanked the judiciary for their support in his administration’s discharge of duties, while urging them to extend such goodwill to the incoming administration.
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State signed N268 billion 2023 appropriation bill into law.
The governor in November presented N245 billion to the State House of Assembly for approval.
Speaking shortly after signing the document, Ganduje said the legislators reviewed the budget upward to N268 billion to cater for social and economic development of the state.
He said the budget was designed to fast track completion of ongoing projects and initiate new ones.
