Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has signed the Gombe State 2024 Appropriation Bill of Two Hundred and Eight Billion, Sixty-Four Million Naira (N208,064,000,000.00) in to law.
The Gombe State House of Assembly had increased the budget size by Three Hundred Million Naira (N300,000,000.00) from the initial proposal submitted by Governor Yahaya, which was Two Hundred and Seven Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N207,750,200,000.00).
The break down of the budget indicates an allocation of 58% for capital expenditure and 42%, for recurrent, indicating a rise in the capital expenditure for the first time in the budget of the state.
Performing the ceremony, Governor Inuwa Yahaya commended the lawmakers for the expeditious passage of the appropriation bill, appreciating the longstanding collaboration between the executive and legislative arms, particularly in maintaining the January to December budget cycle.
“Let me commend the leadership and members of the House of Assembly, especially the House Committee on Appropriations for the enormous work done to ensure the expeditious passage of the appropriation bill. The speedy passage of the bill reaffirmed the harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislative arms,”the Governor said.
He said right from the onset of his first tenure in 2019, the House of Assembly has been cooperative and never failed to pass the annual or supplementary budgets, as well as other requests that need its approval.
Governor Yahaya further emphasised his commitment to continue to synergise with the lawmakers to provide effective leadership for the betterment of the citizen and fostering economic development and prosperity in the state.
He said the 2024 budget, tagged ‘Budget of Continuity and Consolidation’ would leverage on the gains of the previous budgets, while maintaining that the Appropriation Act has resources allocated for increased infrastructure, enhanced healthcare services, improved education, human capital development, and job creation, among other priorities.
The Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar Luggerewo, commended Governor Yahaya on the 2023 budget performance, assuring continued legislative support to ensure that the 2024 budget performance surpasses that of the 2023.
“As we present the approved 2023 appropriation bill for the Governor’s assent, I want to express the gratitude of all Honorable Members of the State House of Assembly to His Excellency for the budget items. The budget reflects the Governor’s commitment to the well-being of Gombe people. It is based on this that we recognize crucial areas needing attention and augmented the budget by 300 million Naira”, the Speaker remarked.
