By: Felix Ikpotor
Chairman of Degema local government area, Rivers State, Dr. Tony Philmoore has presented the 2020 budget proposal of Three Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Two Naira, Fifty Three Kobo (N3,660,937,762.53) to the council’s legislative assembly for approval.
The 2020 Appropriation Bill tagged; ‘Budget of Consolidation’ was presented during Tuesday’s plenary at the hallowed chamber of the legislative council.
A breakdown of the budget as contained in a statement by Darefaa Braide, Press Secretary to the assembly, shows that Recurrent Expenditure is estimated at N1.96billion, representing 65% of the total sum, while Capital Expenditure is estimated at One Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty Four Million, Nine Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred and Twelve Naira, Fifty Kobo (N1,664,912,512.50), representing about 35% of the total sum.
Presenting the budget, the Council boss noted that when passed into law, the bill would enable the council complete ongoing projects scattered across the LGA, stressing that the budget captures more projects intended to be executed in all the 17 wards of the LGA.
He commended the leadership and members of the 8th Legislative Assembly for the harmony and support the executive enjoys from them, urging the lawmakers to make laws that would bring about development to the people at the grassroots.
Leader of the Degema Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dennis Philip Fayeofori, thereafter, committed the bill to the Committee on Appropriation and Budget for necessary legislative action.