Kwara’s supplementary appropriation bill of N169 billion passed the second reading at the state House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The executive bill, presented by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, is seeking an upward review of the 2021 budget from N137 billion to N169 billion.
The state’s IGR in 2019 was about N30 billion while its 2020 fell to N19 billion.
Many Nigerian states generate much lower than theirbudget, thereby depending on federal allocations and borrowing.
Abdulrasaq claimed he inherited N100 billion in debt when he came in in 2019.
His upward review of the budget has however enjoyed the support of all members of the assembly.
The bill passed the second reading, after an extensive debate on its benefits and general principles.
Leading the debate on the revised budget estimate, the House leader, justified the upward review of the 2021 budget, attributing the increase to the revenue shortfall induced by the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world.
Olawoyin-Magaji said the supplementary appropriation would engender even development of critical sectors of the state’s economy.
The Speaker, Mr Yakubu Danladi, referred the bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative action.
NAN recalled that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, first presented the state’s 2021 budget of N137 billion to the state Legislature in December 2020, before the latest request for an upward review to N169 billion.