Lalong signs ₦149.9bn 2023 budget

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Thursday signed the 2023 Appropriation bill of ₦149.9 billion into law.

The governor, signing the bill at Government House, Jos, said it was part of his administration’s commitment to the good of Plateau people.

“This is our administration’s last budget and we promise that we will to do our best for the people. We remain committed to its implementation,” he said.

He thanked the Plateau House of Assembly (PLHA) for their inputs in the budget and prayed for resources for its implementation.

He also thanked the judiciary for their support in his administration’s discharge of duties, while urging them to extend such goodwill to the incoming administration.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dan-Philips Hirkop, explained that the appropriation bill presented to PLHA in November was ₦139 billion, but was increased to handle some  critical issues.

“The budget proposal was ₦139 billion but the house after its deliberations, was able to come out with some critical issues with logistics for an effective transition.

“Other issues also include the current exercise of replacement and recruitment in tertiary institutions, the health sector and others to make provisions, bringing it to ₦149 billion instead of ₦139 billion,” the commissioner said.

The bill was titled: “Budget of Infrastructural Consolidation and Transition.”

Of the N149 billion, the sum of N84.1billion was earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while N65.7 billion is for capital spending.