By Abuchi Onwumelu
The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed the 2020 Appropriation Bill of one hundred and thirty seven point one billion Naira for the services of Anambra State Government into law.
The 2020 Appropriation Law which will come into force on the first day of January, 2020 was passed during plenary in Awka.
The Majority Leader and member representing Awka South I State Constituency, Hon. (Pharm) Dr. Nnamdi Okafor, moved the motion for the passage of the 2020 Appropriation Bill, with secondment by Hon. Ebele Ejiofor of Anaocha I State Constituency.
In his speech, the Speaker, Hon Uche Okafor, commended the various committees with special thanks to the Finance and Appropriation Committee under the chairmanship of Hon Obinna Emeneka, for a thorough budget defence exercise.
The Speaker noted that the prompt passage of the 2020 Appropriation Bill was in line with the resolve of the House to continue to enact laws aimed at improving the living standard of Ndi Anambra as well as the growth and development of the state.
Noting that the content of this year’s budget was rich, development driven and designed for the good governance of the state, he read out the 2020 Appropriation Bill, while the lawmakers supported it through a voice vote.
Presenting the report of his committee on the Appropriation Bill, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, and member representing Anambra East State Constituency, Hon. Pharm. Obinna Emeneka, explained that adjustments were made in the Bill by reducing budgetary allocation to some ministries, while increment was made in critical sectors in order to meet the needs of the people in 2020.
The Chairman, House Committee on Information and Culture, Hon Okechukwu Okoye, noted that with the passage of the 2020 Appropriation Bill, Anambra State would witness unprecedented development in 2020.
A member of the Finance and Appropriation Committee of the House, Hon Timothy Ifedioramma, said that the 7th Assembly had set a pace by being the first state House of Assembly in Nigeria to pass the 2020 Appropriation Bill.
