The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Appropriation Bill of N979.2 billion for the 2025 fiscal year for assent.

The budget passed at the plenary was sequel to a report by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation chairman, Marilyn Okowa-Daramola.

Presenting the committee’s report, Mrs Okowa-Daramola noted that N348.7 billion was for recurrent expenditure, while N630.4 billion was for capital expenditure.

She said the amount showed an increase of N43.2 billion compared to N936 billion Governor Sheriff Oborevwori earlier presented to the assembly.

”The committee also recommended that the capital expenditure estimate of N587.3 billion be amended to read N630.4 billion.

“This represents an increase of N43.1 billion or 7.34 per cent increase over the proposed Capital Expenditure budget,” Mrs Okowa-Daramola said.

Mrs Okowa-Daramola added that the committee recommended that the total amended budget size be N979.2 billion from the N936 billion presented by the governor.

She also recommended that the 2025 appropriation bill be monitored for effective implementation.

The committee chairman said the 2025 budget was presented in line with global best practices.

According to her, the budgetary estimates reflect the “MORE Agenda” goals of the state governor.

The committee report was unanimously adopted at the Committee of Supply, chaired by the speaker, Dennis Guwor.

Consequently, the assembly majority leader, Emeka Nwaobi, moved a motion for the third reading and passage of the bill.

The minority leader, Edafe Emakpor (APC-Uvwie), seconded the motion when put to a voice vote by the speaker.

The speaker commended the lawmakers for their commitment to the early passage of the appropriation bill.

(NAN)