***Assembly promises more collaboration, accelerated passage.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has presented an Appropriation Bill of N258.2bn to Kogi State House of Assembly for scrutiny and approval as budget estimates for the 2024 fiscal year.
Presenting the bill at the hallowed chamber of the newly renovated Assembly Complex on Monday in Lokoja, the governor said that the 2024 Budget tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Continuity for Inclusive Growth” was higher by N60.67 billion compared to the N197.59 billion Revised Approved Budget for 2023.
He said that the 2024 Budget tagged has Recurrent Expenditure of N145.73 billion, about 56.43 per cent and a Capital Expenditure of N112.54bn which is 43.57 per cent of the total budget of N258.2 billion.
In the sectoral allocations for the 2024 budget, Social Sector leads with N96,98 billion (37.55%) while Economic sector follows closely with N82.0 billion (31.75%), as Administration maintains a third position with N64.31 billion (24.9%) and Law and Justice following with N14.97 billion (5.80%).
Earlier in his speech, Bello said, “Our objective of focusing on these sectors is to make the State a healthy tourist center, enhance the creation of new job opportunities for our youths and women, create a well secured environment that will boost commerce, trade, and investment in the state. 
“Kogi State derives the bulk of its budget funding from the Federation Accounts, but we are resolved not to continue with this trend any longer.
“Consequently, we shall restructure and intensify our Internally Generated Revenue efforts to expand the scope of the State’s earnings and reduce our over dependence on the Federation Account allocation.
Mr Speaker, Distinguished Members of this Honourable House, our Year 2024 draft Budget is designed to enhance the mobilization of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), collect debts owed the State by the Federal Government,…
“Continue to collect and recover the State’s equity share in Obajana Cement Company, provide a more conducive environment for development partners from all over the world in order to contribute maximally to the State’s ecoomy”, he said.
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the House Speaker, Umar Yusuf, expressed gratitude to the governor for the positive collaboration between the Legislature and Executive as well as the Judiciary under Bello’s leadership.
Yusuf pledged more collaborative synergy with the in-coming administration of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo (the Governor-Elect) for the growth, development and progress of the state.
The speaker also promised accelerated passage of the Appropriation Bill and urged MDAs to cooperate with the Assembly saying, “I seek the cooperation of heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government in ensuring due diligence is done to give the document accelerated passage. (Ends)