Kogi State Governor Signs 2024 Budget

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, north central Nigeria, has signed the 2024 budget of N258,278,501,339.00 into law.

The Governor signed the budget, and three other bills into law at the Executive Chambers, Government House, Lokoja.

Governor Bello whose tenure ends on January 27, 2024, expressed confidence that the incoming administration would consolidate on the foundation of development laid down by his administration.

The Governor expressed optimism that the budget, tagged, ‘Budget of Consolidation and Continuity for Inclusive Growth’, would enhance further development and place Kogi on another growth pedestal.

Bello commended the lawmakers for the speedy passage of the bill, and thanked God for the opportunity to serve the people, while also appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, family members, Party leaders and other Stakeholders for giving him the needed support to succeed in accomplishing his duty as Governor.

Due Diligence

The Speaker, Hon. Umar Yusuf, while presenting the 2024 budget for the governor’s assent, said the Assembly applied due diligence in considering the budget, Andrew engaged with all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure a true reflection of the interest of the people of the state.

The Speaker thanked his colleagues for their commitment to the exercise, promising that the legislature would continue to work in synergy with the Executive arm to deliver good governance to the people.

Mr Yusuf disclosed that the House also passed some other bills, including:

• Bill to amend and re-enact the Kogi State Local Government Law,
• Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission bill, (KOSOPADEC),
• And the bill to amend the College of Nursing and Midwifery Obagende.

Earlier, the Kogi State House of Assembly passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill of over N258.7 billion.

This followed the adoption of the report of the House Standing Committee on Appropriation Budget Monitoring and Economic Planning.

Breakdown

The Speaker, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, said the bill had a recurrent expenditure of over N145.7b while the capital expenditure is 112.5 billion Naira.

According to him, the bill covers allocation to every each Ministry, Department and Agency, and would take effect from January 1, 2024 and end December 31, 2024.

Governor Yahaya Bello presented the budget to the State House of Assembly on December 11, 2023 in Lokoja, yhe state capital.

He explained that the budget, the last by his administration, was geared towards consolidating on the gains of the 2023 fiscal year.

The budget, tagged, “2024 Budget of Consolidation and Continuity for Inclusive Growth”, is slightly higher by N60,678,826,427.00, than the 2023 revised budget, representing a 30.71% increase.