On Friday, the Plateau State House of Assembly, presided over by the speaker, Moses Sule, passed an appropriation bill of N314.8 billion for the 2024 fiscal year.

Out of the figure, N162.3 billion is recurrent expenditure, while N152.5 billion is for capital expenditure.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, on Tuesday, presented a budget estimate of N295.4 billion for consideration and passage by the lawmakers.

The budget passed by the lawmakers was N19.4 billion, higher than the figure presented by Mr Mutfwang.

Mr Sule explained that the budget presented by the governor was immediately handed over to the House Committee on Appropriation to take a critical look at it.

The speaker commended the committee, chaired by Danjuma Azi (PDP/Jos North West), for the process’ thorough and speedy completion.

Mr Azi, in his remarks, commended all committees for working expeditiously with their relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), thereby making the work of the appropriation committee fast and easy.

On the increase of the budget size from the figure the governor presented, Timothy Dantong (PDP/Riyom) explained that it was a normal legislative procedure.

Mr Dantong told journalists that the budget for lawmakers’ constituency projects was not captured, adding that some MDAs’ budget was also reviewed upwards to meet current realities.

(NAN)