Ortom signs 2016 appropriation bill of N150.7b into law

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has signed the state’s 2016 Appropriation Bill of N150.7 billion to law.

Ortom said the estimates comprised N66.5 billion vote for recurrent expenditure and N84.1 billion budgeted for capital projects.

He said his administration was committed to holistic implementation of the budget and directed the Office of Budget Implementation to ensure blockage of financial leakages.

He also directed the directorate to ensure total compliance with the appropriation law to avoid alterations in the budget.

He said: “The Director of Budget is hereby ordered to ensure strict compliance with the provision of the budget to avoid diversion of funds to areas not captured in the appropriation act.”

Orthom also directed the office to always make information on the budget available to the lawmakers to enable them discharge their oversight functions.

Ortom commended the legislature for prompt passage of the budget and urged them to sustain the cordial relationship.

He also commended the synergy between the executive arm and the judiciary in the state.

The governor gave assurance that he would not interfere with the affairs of the other arms of government to stimulate development.

Ortom assured that the government would provide the enabling environment for the other tiers of government to perform their functions in the overall interest of the state.

Ortom warned against any breach of the appropriation law, stressing that offenders would be prosecuted.

Earlier, the Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Terkimbi Ikyange, said the lawmakers had to expeditiously pass the budget to enable the government to commence prompt execution of projects.

The 2016 budget is the first budget by the current administration.

NAN.