Reps pass N4.695trn 2014 budget, lawmaker kicks against N2bn for North east

…as lawmaker kicks against N2bn for North-East The House of Representatives today passed the 2014 budget of N4.695 trillion Nigeria despite attempts by a lawmaker to scuttle the process. The amount is similar to what the Senate passed on Wednesday. Daily Trust observed that the amount was a bit higher than what was laid before […]

…as lawmaker kicks against N2bn for North-East

The House of Representatives today passed the 2014 budget of N4.695 trillion Nigeria despite attempts by a lawmaker to scuttle the process.

The amount is similar to what the Senate passed on Wednesday.

Daily Trust observed that the amount was a bit higher than what was laid before the House by the appropriations committee on Wednesday. The initial amount was N4.642 trillion, but it changed to N4.695, which was approved yesterday.

A breakdown of the budget showed that N2.454 trillion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure; N1.119 trillion is for contribution to the Development Fund for capital expenditure; N712 billion for debt service, while N408.687 billion is for statutory transfers.

But the initial breakdown of the budget indicated that N2.43 trillion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure; N1.1 trillion is for contribution to the Development Fund for capital expenditure; N712 billion for debt service, while N399.687 billion is for statutory transfers.

This showed an increase of about N53 billion from the initial sum.

House spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, later told journalists that they had to “be on the same page with the Senate,” hence their resolve to approve the N4.695 trillion.

 

However, a member of the House from Yobe State, Rep Goni Bukar Lawan, raised a point of order kicking against the N2 billion federal government intervention to the North-East economy.

He said there was a motion that sought for the increase of the amount, in view of the huge spending of the three states under emergency, which was approved and referred to appropriation committee to find ways of increasing the amount.

He added that Yobe state alone spends more than the federal government’s proposed intervention amount, which is for the whole region.

But speaker Tambuwal noted that the northeast intervention amount was one of the issues the senate president, and himself discussed with president in their meeting the previous night.

Details later.