Akwa Ibom assembly passes N150bn supplementary budget

The 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N150,000,000,000 (One hundred and fifty billion), tagged (HAB 317) earlier forwarded to the House of Assembly by Governor Umo Eno for legislation has been passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA).

The Supplementary Budget comprising the recurrent expenditure of N50,310,140,850, and capital expenditure of N99,689,859,150, was read the third time and passed by the House on Friday, September 22, 2023, following the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Appropriations and Finance, earlier submitted by the Chairman, Hon. Dr. Mrs. Itorobong Etim, representing Uruan State Constituency.

The N150 billion augmentation to the 2023 budget brings the budget size for the financial year 2023 to a total of N850,000,000,000 (N850 billion), as against the earlier budget size of N700 billion, with a revised capital expenditure of N455,685,342,020 and a recurrent expenditure of N394,314,657,980 respectively.

The House had dissolved into a Committee of the Whole and Committee of Supply to consider Committee reports on the Supplementary Appropriation Bill and five other committee reports on other bills also passed alongside the Supplemamery Budget at plenary today.

Deputy Leader of the House, Otobong Bob moved a motion for the passage of the bill, which was seconded by the member for Nsit Ibom State Constituency, Eric Akpan.

Also at plenary, a bill for a law to amend the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap. 155 Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2023 (HAB 316) was read the third time and passed into law by the House. This also follows the submission of reports by the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mfon Idung.

Idung, who represents Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, had told the House that the proposed amendment to the Traditional Rulers Law of the State seeks, among others, to dignify and sustain the integrity of the traditional institution in Akwa Ibom State, while also placing heads of the traditional institution in equal rank with other reputable chiefs in the country. Friday, September 22, 2023, is the commencement date for the bill.

Also, a bill for a law to establish Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund Law 2023 (HAB 300) and the Ibom Community Watch and for connected purposes 2023 was read the third time and passed by the House following the adoption and consideration of reports submitted to this effect by Chairman, House Committee on Security, Youth and Sports, Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo.

Other bills including A Bill for a law to make Special Provisions for Statutory Boards and Commissions in Akwa Ibom State and for other matters connected therewith (HAB 310) and a Bill for a Law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Statistics and Akwa Ibom State Statistical System and for other matters connected therewith (HAB 312) were also read the third time and passed by the lawmakers.

The two bills received legislative backing following the submission and adoption of reports of the House Committee on Inter-Governmental, Political and Special Matters, chaired by the member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Hon. Emem Udom, and that of the Committee on Economic Planning and Development, chaired by the member for Eket State Constituency, Hon. (Dr) Nsidibe Akata, respectively.

Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary to reconvene on October 10.