The appropriation bill or the budget as commonly referred to is the most important legislative instrument that addresses the welfare and security of the people.
Buhari presenting 2018 budget to joint NASS session
That is why the world over, captains of industry, business men, policy makers and indeed those interested in the run of governance yearly look towards the presentation and passage of budgets.
It is, however, sad that in this clime the passage of the budget by the legislators is often mired in legislative and executive struggle for power, relevance and prominence. And more often than not, budgets are unduly delayed to the disadvantages and discomfort of the electorate.
However, last week, to be precise on Thursday, November 30, 2017, the Delta State House of Assembly passed the 2018 budget in a speed breaking record of forty-two days. The budget tagged ‘Budget of Hope and Consolidation‘ was presented to the State House of Assembly on the 18th of October, 2017.
The budget estimates of the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa was pegged at N298 billion but the legislators in their wisdom raised it to N308 billion with an increase of N10 billion. The budget placed emphasis on education, health and job creation.
Since that epochal passage of the budget, Deltans and indeed Nigerians have been hailing the feat of the legislators making it one of those states to pass their budget. While the national legislators are still haggling about the federal 2018 budget and the case of Imo State legislators boycotting the budget presentation by the state governor, Deltans are eagerly waiting for the state governor to assent to the passage of the appropriation bill to make it law.
Basking in euphoria of the early passage of the budget, the helmsman of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Sheriff Oborievwri maintained it was as a result of synergy between the executive and the legislators with the cast determination to make sure that only the best was good enough for his state.
He explains the underpin reason behind the early passage of the budget: ‘It is all about a government that is determined to move the state and people forward. A government that is very proactive. Appropriation bill is the most important legal document for any administration.
If the executive in line with the provisions of the constitution forwarded the draft bill early for the state legislature for attention, it will be a de-service to Deltans for the House not to give it the speed it deserves. Due diligence to details was observed all through the process of passing the budget. If I am not mistaken, Delta state should be the second or third to have passed the 2018 appropriation bill. It is all about hard work and dedication to duty. And I thank my colleagues for that‘.
It will be recalled that when the state governor presented the budget estimates to the legislators, he explained to them some of the government achievements and the constrains in the implementation of government projects.
According to the governor: ‘One of the major achievements of our administration is stabilising the ship of the state in the wake of the recession that swept through the country. Confronted with dwindling receipts from the Federation Account and Internally Generated Revenue vis-a-vis inherited contractual obligations, the first challenge we faced was the payment of salaries to the huge workforce.
To put it in context, the total staff strength of the federal civil service is about 89,000. As at the time we assumed office on May 29, 2015, Delta State had over 60,000 workers on its payroll. However, we were able to meet our obligations to the workers through debt payment re-scheduling, cutting waste, contracts reviews and prudent management ‘.
Honourable Prince Kelly Penawou, Special Adviser to the governor on Niger Delta Affairs/Braced Commission was of the opinion that the early passage of the budget was good omen and could speed the development of the state. His sentiments: ‘Delta State has taken the lead in the passage of budget in the country. It is good for the state and its people.
This will give the government a full cycle – twelve months to implement the budget especially in road construction as the dry season shall be fully utilized. It showed that there was no bickering usually associated with the passage of budget between the executive and the legislators.
Other state governments and even the national assembly should emulate the example of the Delta State House of Assembly. The assembly simply did what was right for the people and governance. The house is vibrant and wants the best for the people‘
Dr Kingsley Emu, the Commissioner for Economic Planning postulated that the early passage of the budget was good for planning and implementing of projects. He maintained that ministries and other governmental bodies in January shall hit the ground running as the capital votes shall be released in record time.
He put the scenario this way; ‘The early passage of the budget I can tell you is a product of hard work, commitment and robust synergy between the executive arm and the legislative arms of the state. The passage of the 2018 budget is healthy for good planning. First of all, as economic planners, we do a lot of quarterly report from all segments. From day one of this administration, we had our programmes carefully laid out.
It is also critical for capital expenditure especially road infrastructure given the terrain as a rain forest. In summary, I can say that this was achieved as a result of cooperation between the commissioners and the State House of Assembly. It therefore, goes to show that with cooperation, we can do a lot more in the state‘
The speaker of the House also spoke on the benefits of the early passage of the budget and that Deltans would be happier for it. Oborievwori explained thus: “If the implementation starts from the beginning of the year, it means more time for the execution of projects and programmes to the benefits of the people. The state will take advantage of the dry season between January and April to do more work, particularly on roads and drains.
The governor should be commended for sending the Appropriation Bill to the House on time and the House should be commended too for the unprecedented approach that led to its passage, 42 days after it was presented`.
While the House of Assembly continues to receive encomiums from Deltans, what should not be lost on Deltans is the passion of the state governor in peaking the level of health care delivery in the budget estimates. This should not be surprising for the governor is a trained medical doctor. There is the allocation of N6.6billion to the health sub sector.
This is the health direction of the state governor: “Our guiding philosophy to this sector is the establishment of a qualitative, affordable and accessible health care delivery system in the state, hence we are focussing on infrastructural development of our hospitals and primary health care centres, as well as the procurement of drugs and cutting edge medical equipment in major health care facilities across the three senatorial districts. Sustaining the Free Maternal and the Free Under Five Healthcare programmes has been critical in ensuring that the maternal mortality in the state remain the lowest in the country`.
With the early passage of the budget by the State House of Assembly, the ball is in the court of the governor to quickly give his assent. It must be stressed here that depending on the availability of resources, the Ministry of Finance should be impressed upon on early release of financial allocations to ministries and paying contractors for the jobs done. It is only then that the early passage of the 2018 budget could be relevant and meaningful.
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