The Enugu State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the state’s 2020
Appropriation Bill of N169.6 billion for the year ending Dec. 31, 2020.
This followed a report presented by the Chairman, House Committee on
Finance and Appropriation, Mr Ezenta Ezeani, at the plenary in Enugu.
Ezeani said that there was no amendment to both the capital and recurrent
expenditure as presented by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Dec. 17.
He said the budget was anchored on the determination of the state
government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
“The 2020 budget is exceptional because the capital expenditure is higher
than the recurrent expenditure. It is a welcome development.
“The high budgetary allocation to capital expenditure goes a long way to
demonstrate the state government’s determination to diversify the state’s
economy from oil dependence,’’ the lawmaker representing Igbo Etiti East
Constituency noted.
Subsequently, the Leader of the House, Chief Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, while
moving a motion for immediate consideration, described the budget estimate
as realistic.
Ezeugwu said that everything captured in it, ranging from current to capital
expenditure, was the way it was in the original bill.
He said that the budget intended to create conducive environment for small
and medium enterprises (SMEs) to thrive, secure lives and property and also
provide key infrastructure in the state.
“The budget is predicated on national economic indicators of 10.8 per cent, oil
production benchmark of 2.18 million barrels per day, oil price benchmark of
55 dollars per barrel and N305 exchange rate, considering that the bulk of the
state revenue comes from federal allocation.
“The creation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) centres in all the 17
local government areas will help to provide employment for youths,’’ the
lawmaker representing Udenu Constituency said.
In his speech, the Speaker, Chief Edward Ubosi, thanked the committee on
Finance and Appropriation for a job well done.
Ubosi commended his colleagues for working so hard even on weekends to
ensure that the bill saw the light of the day.
The House adjourned until Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020.
