AKHA Ratifies N700B Appropriation Bill For 2023

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today Thursday passed the State’s 2023 Appropriation Bill of N700billion, made up of N344.005billion for Recurrent Expenditure and N355.995billion for Capital Expenditure, into law.

The proposed Bill, which amount to an increase of 0.4% of the initial proposed budget size, followed the Report of the Hon. Uduak Odudoh-led House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

The report recalled that “at the 8th Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Seventh Assembly on Monday, November 7, 2022, Governor Udom Emmanuel presented his Budget address to the Honourable House. At the end of his address, in pursuance of Section 121 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), he laid before the House estimates of revenue and expenditure of Akwa Ibom State for 2023 for consideration. By virtue of Order 8, Rule 1(3) of the Standing Order of the House, the Appropriation Bill 2023 was deemed read the first time.”

After a fruitful Clause-by-Clause deliberation at the Committee of the Whole and Supply, Members unanimously accepted the report and the Appropriation Bill was subsequently passed into Law.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, who presided over the plenary, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Mandu Umoren, to communicate the position of the House to the Executive Governor for assent.

In another development, the House received a Report on the Amendment of the Standing Orders of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (Sixth Edition).

The Report was presented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges, Barrister Otobong Bob (Nsit Ubium).

The proposed amendment centered on Opening Prayers, Members/Officers/Sitting of the House, Arrangement of Public Business and the Establishment and Jurisdiction of Committees of the House.

Members present at the Thursday plenary included the House Leader, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan (Oruk Anam); the Chief Whip, Otuekong Emmanuel Bassey (Ini); the Deputy House Leader, Barrister Aniefiok Dennis Akpan (Etinan); the Deputy Chie Whip, Otuekong Nse Essien (ONNA); Elder Aniekan Uko (Ibesikpo Asutan); Hon. Effiong Bassey (Oron/Udung Uko); Hon. David Lawrence (Eket), and Prince Idongesit Ntekpere (Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara).

Others were hon. Asuquo Archibong (Urue Offong/Oruko); Dr Charity Ido (Ukanafun); KufreAbasi Edidem (Itu); Obong Godwin Ekpo (Ibiono Ibom); Hon. Ifiok Udoh (Nsit Ibom); Hon. Anietie Eka (Uyo), and Hon. Victor Ekwere (Mkpat Enin).

The House later adjourned its plenary to Thursday, January 5, 2023, at 10.00am.

Press Unit

Office of the Speaker

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly

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