Enugu Assembly passes revised 2020 budget of N146bn 

The Enugu State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed the revised 2020 budget of over N146 billion.

The state governor, Emeka Ugwuanyi, had earlier this year signed the 2020 budget estimate of N169.6 billion.

The passage of the budget followed the clause by clause consideration of the appropriation bill during the plenary in Enugu.

In his submission, the Leader of the House, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, said revising the budget had become necessary considering the negative impact of COVID-19 on the state and country at large.

Ezeugwu argued that the economic projections made in January had been ridiculed by the pandemic.

According to him, the only viable option left for the Enugu state government was to cut down its budget estimates.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Enugu speaker orders shutdown of Assembly complex

The House leader disclosed that the recurrent expenditure was increased from N68 billion to N69 billion while capital expenditure was reduced from N100 billion to N76.5 billion.

While hinting that the state government would be responsive to the realities of the time, he maintained that funds would be re-channeled from non-essential to essential items, especially in the health sector.

Also speaking on the matter, the member representing Ezeagu constituency, Mr. Chima Obieze, stressed the need for the state government to invest massively in health facilities across the state.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Uche Ugwu, who presided over the plenary, applauded his colleagues for their contributions which led to the passage of the revised budget.

Ugwu charged the state government to ensure full implementation of the budget.

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