Kaduna State House of Assembly on Thursday passed into law, the state’s Budget of N214.9 billion for 2017.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the figure is N1 billion less than the budget proposal forwarded by Governor Nasiru el-Rufa’i, to the assembly on October 12, for approval.
The Speaker of the assembly, Alhaji Aminu Shagali, who read the content of the budget clause by clause, said N83.46 billion was approved for recurrent and N131.45 for capital expenditure.
He said the budget would cover from now till December 31, 2017.
Chairman, Assembly Committee on Appropriation, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, later told newsmen that the N1 billion cut from the original proposal was from the expected revenue of two agencies.
In a statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna and signed by Samuel Aruwan, Governor Nasir el-Rufai commended the lawmakers for their effort in scrutinising the draft budget.
The governor noted that the lawmakers approved a budget that is N1 billion lower than the draft estimates.
“We are proud of the Kaduna State House of Assembly for not padding or inflating the budget,” the governor said, praising the diligence brought to the budget work.
The draft budget size was N215 billion, set at expansionary levels to help drive recovery amidst recession. Its capital to recurrent ratio was 60:40.