Okowa-Daramola: Why Delta Assembly Raised 2024 Appropriation Bill by over N10bn

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Marylyn Okowa-Daramola, has explained that the increase of the 2024 budget, from the N714.4 billion proposed to the House by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to almost N725 billion, was meant to bridge certain funding gaps in critical sectors of the state’s economy.

Justifying the decision of the state legislature to jerk up next fiscal year’s Appropriation Bill by N10.5 billion, the committee chairman said: “Having done in-depth scrutiny of the proposed budget as presented by the governor, we realised that there were some sectors that required more attention. The increased figure is aimed at funding some of these critical sectors of the state which include, the health sector, works, and urban renewal, among others.”

Whereas Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had on Wednesday, November 2023 presented to the state legislature the 2024 budget estimates totalling N714.4 billion, christened “Budget of Hope and Optimism”, the Delta State House of Assembly has approved a final budget size of N724.979 billion for the fiscal year.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the third reading of the Appropriation Bill and subsequent passage at the weekend, Hon Okowa-Daramola, said that some critical sectors like Works, Urban Renewal and Health required a little more attention, hence the N10.5 billion naira upward review of the initial budget estimates.

The young lawmaker, representing the Ika North-East constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, further observed that “the Year 2024 Budget belongs to the present time, it’s people-friendly and it’s in line with His Excellency’s M.O.R.E Agenda.”

The budget’s christening as “Budget of Hope and Optimism” is apt, as it was based on Oborevwori’s governance perspective envisioned by the Governor, she asserted, adding that being the first Appropriation Bill by the 8th Assembly, it had both excited and challenged members, who she said had a sense of accomplishment in seeing to the budget’s successful conclusion.

She gave insight into the House’s appropriation process: “Members had a critical debate on the bill during its second reading. Various Standing Committees, which were sub-committees on Finance and Appropriation, met with various ministries, departments and agencies, where the MDAs defended their proposed estimates.

“The sessions with the MDAs were a weeklong process; and, then we had the Finance and Appropriation Committee working tirelessly to present its report today. I am glad to be a key player in the process, the first in the 8th Assembly.”

Explaining the enlarged figure of the eventually approved budget, Okowa-Daramola said, “Having done in-depth scrutiny of the proposed budget as presented by the Governor, we realised that there were some sectors that required more attention. The increased figure is aimed at funding some of these critical sectors of the state which include, the health sector, works, and urban renewal, among others.

“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is very much inclined to infrastructural development. We must support him to succeed. Some areas in the state require more infrastructure.”

While thanking the Speaker, Hon Emomotimi Guwor and the entire house for the opportunity to serve on the committee, she said, “Being the first appropriation bill, members were very excited to work on the bill. Deltans should expect M.O.R.E. Indeed, it is “Budget of Hope and Optimism”, she stressed.

The Delta State House of Assembly has approved a budget size of N724.979 billion for the 2024 fiscal year in the state.