TheCable

The Ekiti state house of assembly has passed the 2017 budget presented to it two weeks ago by Ayo Fayose, governor of the state, without any alteration or amendment.

The assembly passed the N93.4 billion budget via an appropriation bill tagged: ‘Budget of Consolidation for Higher Heights.’

The 2017 appropriation bill recurrent was N55.02bn, which is 59 per cent of the budget, while capital expenditure was N38.42 bn or 41 per cent of the estimates.

The budget is 33 per cent higher than the N70.5bn presented for 2016.

Fayose had explained that the increment was due to the economic recession and the high exchange rate of the naira to the US dollar.

The house passed the bill on Tuesday after considering the report of its finance and appropriation committee.

During its presentation, Fayose had said he was the one in charge at the assembly and that Kola Oluwawole, the speaker, was only holding brief for him.

“I’m the speaker, he (Oluwawole) is on that seat on my behalf. He is the acting speaker, therefore, he cannot be wrong,” he said.

“If he is wrong, we will take it to the Government House and resolve it. Therefore, I will pass the budget myself.”

When the budget passed second reading, members of the assembly spoke on the policy thrusts as highlighted in the details of its estimates.

It was committed into the committee of the whole house, scrutinised page-by-page by the members and later passed.

Oluwawole said the budget had taken care of all areas that the administration would look into in 2017.

“I want to commend the committee of finance and appropriation and other members for a job well done”, he said before adjourning sitting till February 20.