The Niger House of Assembly has passed the 2016 Appropriation Bill of N85.09 billion into law.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the figure showed a N10.3 billion increase from the N74.74 billion presented by the executive.
The passage followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Planning and Appropriation on the 2016 budget.
Tagged “Budget of restoration’’, the law set aside N41.433 billion for recurrent expenditure as against N39.501 billion and N43. 658 billion as against N35.242 billion budgeted by the executive.
The total expenditure provision of the 2016 budget stands at N85.092 billion, indicating an increase of N10.347 billion.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Muhammad Lokogoma, said the adjustments were made in critical areas with the belief of sourcing for more revenue to finance them.
Lokogoma advised the executive to stick to the budget and revert to the legislature in cases of extra spending outside it.
“The committee observed with dismay the over expenditure and extra budgetary spending in 2015 budget without recourse to the legislature.
“This is unacceptable to the principle of separation of powers and public finance management.
“The committee therefore recommended that this House call on the MDAs to be guided by the appropriation law in the implementation of the budget to ensure budget discipline,” he said.
Lokogoma also tasked the executive on early presentation of the budget to the legislature to allow for proper scrutiny and timely passage.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Mr Ahmed Marafa, thanked the committee members for working tirelessly towards the passage of the law.
Marafa directed the clerk to forward clean copies of the 2016 budget to the governor for his assent. (NAN)