By Suleiman Abubakar MAPSA
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill into law, increasing its size from N382.57 billion to N402.57 billion. The increment of N20 billion was necessitated by inflationary pressures and the significance of certain economic codes in the budget.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, announced the budget's passage during the House proceedings in Lafia. He noted that the upward adjustment was made to ensure the execution of critical projects aimed at fostering the state’s economic growth and stability.
"A Bill For A Law to Issue Out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State (Appropriation) of the Sum of N402,567,843,592.03" was read for the third time and subsequently passed. The breakdown of the budget includes:
Recurrent Expenditure: N166,384,435,542.25
Capital Expenditure: N236,183,408,049.78
The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House to provide a clean copy of the bill for his vetting and onward transmission to Governor Abdullahi Sule for assent.
It would be recalled that Governor Sule presented the initial budget of N382.57 billion, christened “Budget of Economic Growth and Stability,” to the Assembly on November 29, 2024.
Nasarawa Fire and Rescue Service Agency Bill Passed into Law
In a related development, the Assembly passed into law the Nasarawa State Fire and Rescue Service Agency Bill. The law aims to enhance fire suppression services, rescue operations, and the provision of firefighting equipment across the state.
The Speaker stated that the law is vital for ensuring public safety and directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution to Governor Sule for further action.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Suleiman Azara, moved the motions for the passage of both bills, which were seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Luka Zhekaba. The House unanimously approved the bills during their third readings.
House Proceeds on Christmas Recess
The Speaker also announced that the Assembly would proceed on Christmas recess beginning December 21, 2024. The House is scheduled to reconvene on February 3, 2025.
This announcement followed a motion moved by Hon. Suleiman Azara and seconded by Hon. Luka Zhekaba during today’s proceedings.
