Kwara ACN Lawmakers Oppose Revised 2011 Appropriation Bill

The two members of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Kwara State House of Assembly, on Thursday kicked against the state’s revised appropriation bill of 2011 which was presented for a second reading.

According to them, the bill came at a time when the 2012 budget should be presented by the executive.

Tope Olayonu, (ACN), said the passage of the bill for a second reading would be unconstitutional.

“The bill at this time is unconstitutional and the passage will amount to a fulfilment of unrighteousness.

“The budget had been approved for the last administration and the present administration took over on 29 May and the year did not terminate on 29 May.

“Government is about continuity; there is no need to put forward another budget at this time that we are expecting another year’s appropriation.

“ I think that to fulfil all righteousness, we should not pass this bill for the second reading, as passing it will amount to fulfilling unrighteousness”, he said.

In the same vain, Hassan Oyeleke (ACN) argued that the bill which was presented by Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, did not qualify to be called a budget.

According to him, it was forwarded to the House after expenditure.

He also supported his colleague that the House should stop the bill from sailing to the second reading.

But Suleiman Sunoboro, (PDP), and Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, argued that the revised budget should not be misconstrued to be a request for another budget.

“Budget Appropriation and Revised Budget are like brothers; while the main budget is proposing, the revised is reporting how the budget is being spent; whether under-spent or over-spent,’’ he said.