Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Tuesday presented a N71 billion 2023 supplementary budget to the State House of Assembly for  approval.

This is contained in a letter read during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Christopher Ochor, in Asaba.

Mr Okowa said that the budget was made up of N5.6 billion recurrent expenditure and N65.5 billion capital expenditure.

“May I wish to note that there has been an actual and projected increase in some fiscal receipts.

“Consequently, the supplementary budget has become necessary for appropriation to pay for some critical projects and activities of government as well as fund ongoing projects across the state in the year 2023.

“In the light of the foregoing, it would be greatly appreciated if the draft 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill is placed before the House at its earliest convenience for consideration and passing into law,” he said.

Consequently, the Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo, moved a motion for the first reading of the budget which was unanimously adopted when put to a voice vote by the deputy speaker.

Also during Tuesday’s plenary, the House Joint Committee on Rules, Business, Legal and Judicial Matters and Special Committee on Bills presented its report on a bill to provide for the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots in the state.

Presenting the report, the Chairman, House Committee on Rules, Business, Legal and Judicial Matters, Charles Oniyere, said the joint committee worked tirelessly to deliver within the allotted time frame given to it.

Mr Oniyere said that after meticulous examination and scrutiny of the bill, the committee made some far reaching recommendations for the approval of the House.

The report would be considered by the Committee of the Whole next week.