Lalong presents PLHA with a N139 bn budget for 2023.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Plateau Gov. Simon Lalong presented a N139 billion appropriation bill for the fiscal year 2023 to the Plateau House of Assembly on Friday for approval.

The governor stated that the appropriation bill dubbed “budget of infrastructural consolidation and transition” would address citizens’ needs during the assembly session in Jos.

The governor stated that the budget is N32.6 billion higher than the approved budget for 2022.

“Having considered the plight of citizens, the government proposes to spend N77.6 billion on recurring expenses, representing 55.72 percent of the total budget.”

“A total of N61. 7 billion, or 44.2% of the total budget, will be spent on capital expenditure.”

“N13.2 billion has been set aside for the administrative sector, N31.9 billion for the economic sector, N2.2 billion for the law and justice sector, and N14.2 billion for the social sector,” he explained.

Lalong stated that this would be his final budget presentation and thanked the 8th Assembly for their support and collaboration over the years.

“May I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr Speaker and the members of the Assembly for the audience they have given me on this occasion and over the past seven years.”

“In addition to the budget presentation, this honorable house has done so much to facilitate governance through legislative approvals and oversight in the most cooperative and patriotic way.”

“Your level of collaboration within the spirit of autonomy demonstrates the critical role that the Legislature plays in the growth and sustainability of our democracy,” he added.

Yakubu Sanda, Speaker of the Assembly, assured the governor that the budget would be considered and passed expeditiously for the benefit of the people of Plateau.