On Thursday, the Cross River House of Assembly passed the state’s 2024 Appropriation Bill of N296.96 billion.

Governor Bassey Otu presented the budget estimate of N250.6 billion, christened ‘The People’s First Budget’, to the assembly on October 26.

The estimate passed by the assembly was higher than the figure presented by the governor by over N46.4 billion.

The bill’s passage followed the presentation of the Committee on Finance and Appropriation report by its chairman, Cyril Omini, representing the Yakurr I state constituency.

Presenting the report, Mr Omini commended the governor for his adherence to the provisions of the State Public Finance Management Law.

According to him, the law provides that the governor shall not later than the last working day in October of each year lay the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure of the state for the new financial year before the assembly.

The speaker, Elvert Ayambem, commended the committee members.

Mr Ayambem also commended other lawmakers for their commitment and dedication toward the expeditious passage of the budget.

Earlier, the committee had an interface with various ministries, departments and agencies to defend their estimates before presenting the report to the parliament.

The sectoral allocations of the budget include economic N104.98 billion and general administration N95.8 billion. Others are social, at N86.97 billion, and justice and regional sectors, at N7.9 billion and N47.1 billion, respectively. 

(NAN)