TheCable

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, on Monday signed into law an appropriation bill of N99.99 billion, disregarding the directive of the national assembly that he should send the budget for approval.

Following the crisis rocking the state house of assembly, the national assembly took over the functions of Kogi legislature, and ordered Solomon Arase, inspector-general of police, to seal the state assembly.

The house resolved that all resolutions, laws and actions taken by the Kogi assembly from the date of the national assembly’s resolution to seal it were null and void.

“The governor of Kogi state is to send the state budget and other executive bills to the national assembly for consideration as stipulated in section 11 of the constitution,” said Femi Gbajabiamila, chairman of the committee on the crisis.

But Bello went ahead to sign his first budget, which he tagged: ‘Budget of Change’, promising to ensure 100% implementation.

The governor said he will soon set up an implementation committee, thanking Kogi lawmakers for their support in ensuring the passage of the budget “despite distractions”.

Bello said his administration will ensure a boost in the internally-generated revenue of the state in view of the dwindling allocation accruing to the state.

He promised to work towards blocking all leakages of government finances to pave way for rapid development.

Efforts to reach Gbajabiamila to get the reaction of the house on the development did not yield any result, as he did not answer his phone, and has yet to reply to the text message sent.