Lalong signs ₦149.9bn 2023 budget

By Martha Agas

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has signed a N149.9 billion appropriation bill titled “Budget of Infrastructural Consolidation and Transition” into law.

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

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

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

Furthermore, he thanked the judiciary and urged it to extend the same courtesy to the succeeding administration in carrying out its responsibilities.

Speaking earlier, Mr Dan-Philips Hirkop, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, said that the appropriation bill presented to PLHA in November was ₦139billion, 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,” he said.

NAN