Okowa signs N571.6bn 2023 budget into law

Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday signed N571.64 billion 2023 budget into law.

The budget, which was the last to be signed by Okowa as governor of the state, was made up of N235.5 billion recurrent expenditure and N336.1billion capital expenditure.

The governor also assented to nine other bills; the Delta State Manufacturing and Use of Cotonou Boats Bill, 2022; Delta State Public Finance Management Bill, 2022; Delta State HIV/AIDs Anti-discrimination, Prevention and Protection Bill, 2022.

Others were Delta State Waterways Tax, Control and Licensing of Boats (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2022; Delta State Forfeiture of Property Bill, 2022; Delta State Maternal and Perinatal Deaths Surveillance and Response Bill, 2020.

Also, Delta State Passenger Welfare Scheme Repeal Bill, 2022; Delta State Administrative Procedure Bill, 2022 and the Delta State Transportation Data Management Bill, 2022.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Okowa said that government would strive to implement capital projects embedded in the 2023 budget as well as endeavour to complete all ongoing projects before the end of the administration.

He commended the state House of Assembly for its cooperation over the years, adding that his administration couldn’t have achieved the much it did without the strong support of the lawmakers and the people.

On the other bills signed into law, he said they would contribute to the socio-economic development of the state and thanked the lawmakers for their commitment to duty.

Presenting the bills earlier, Speaker of the House, Sherrif Oborevwori, said the bills went through all legislative process before they were passed.

He expressed appreciation to the governor and lawmakers for their support and cooperation over the years he served as the longest serving Speaker of the House.