Gov Lalong presents N148.7bn rescue Budget 2019 to Plateau Assembly

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau on Monday presented the 2019 budget of over N148.7 billion to the state House of Assembly. Presenting the budget before the House, Lalong said the appropriation bill is christened “Budget of Rescue and Infrastructural Growth”. According to him, the 2019 budget has increased by over N2.4 billion compare to the 2018 proposal. He explained that over N83.4 billion representing 56 per cent of the total budget size would go for recurrent expenditures, while capital expenditures would gulp over N65.3 billion, representing 43.9 per cent. “Mr. Speaker, you will recall that last year I presented the 2018 budget of over N125.5 billion, and over N146.5 billion was passed and signed into law. “Today, I am here again to present the 2019 budget of over N148.7 billion, with an increase of over N2.3 billion from this year’s budget, ” he said. Lalong noted that the budget has a deficit of over N37. 9 billion, representing 26 per cent. He also explained that the recurrent expenditures would cover personnel and overhead costs, while capital expenditures would take care of administrative cost, the economy, social sector, and law and justice, among others. The governor urged members of the assembly to give the budget proposal a speedy passage. In his response, Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Joshua Madaki, promised to ensure speedy passage of the bill, to enable quick development in the state. He, however, called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the state to avail themselves when called upon to defend their various proposals. Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos