By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has expressed delight over the proficiency, efficiency and competency with which the State House of Assembly passed the 2023 Appropriation Bill, saying the bill is very important to corporate existence of Bauchi people and Nigerians at large.
Signing the state 2023 budget into law Friday, the governor recalled that it was presented to the House on 15th November, and the lawmakers after some joggling normally being done by the legislators, was passed on 9th December, 2022.
Governor Bala Mohammed had on the 15th November, 2022 presented to the House the State Budget Estimates of N202, 641, 558, 614.46k which amount was magnanimously passed by the lawmakers without addition or subtraction from its originality within a period of four weeks.
The Bauchi 2023 budget which passed through the legislative scrutiny is made up of the recurrent expenditure of N87, 923,242, 963.50k or 43% of the budget size and a capital expenditure of N114, 718, 515, 650. 97k or 57% of the total estimates.
“The 2023 Appropriation Bill to the House was passed without much changes apart from some joggling that is normally done by the Assembly to make sure that there is parity, equity, justice, and state character in the distribution of resources”, Bala said.
Governor Bala commended the lawmakers for their consciousness about the lean resources with the state government, as he also signed into law, Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) bill, a bill seeking the establishment of State Penal Code, and a bill for law to provide the Administration of Criminal Justice in the state already passed by the House.
“As for the VAPP, we know that we were the first in the North to domesticate it, and it earn us a lot of respects in the county, but because of some notice gaps in traditional inclusion, it was taken back and we thank the House for making the corrections. Definitely, I know it would help in the administration of justice, especially violence against women and children”.
Bala expressed optimism that judges would be able to avail themselves including the police in terms of prosecution, stressing “We want timely prosecution of those people who are very bad within us that are perpetuating these crimes.
He however added, “Of course the administration of criminal justice is a national issue, and we are almost about the last to sign is unfortunate, and this one of course would enhance speedy dispensation of justice”.
The governor then called on the police and all those that have to do with the law including the state Attorney General to ensure that the signed laws are put into practice.
