Benue Assembly approves N23.5bn downward revision of 2024 supplementary budget
On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Benue State House of Assembly approved a downward revision of the 2024 supplementary budget by N23.5 billion. The decision was made to accommodate ongoing discussions and negotiations related to the new minimum wage for public sector employees in the state.
The approval was granted during a plenary session led by Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh. The revision came after a request from the state governor, who sent a letter to the Assembly seeking the adjustment. In his correspondence, the governor explained that the downward review would help the state government remain financially responsible while also addressing the pressing concerns of workers struggling with the rising costs of living.
“The downward review of the supplementary budget will help ensure that the government remains financially responsible,” the governor stated. “It will also meet the legitimate expectations of workers and ease the implementation of the new minimum wage structure. This will send a positive signal to the public that the government is committed to balancing fiscal prudence with social equity.”
In addition to the budget revision, the Assembly took further action by summoning all the chairmen of the 23 local governments and heads of revenue departments to appear before it on Friday. The decision came after a motion was raised by Mr. Moses Egbodo, Chairman of the House Committee on Industry, Trade, and Investment. Egbodo informed the lawmakers that local government chairmen had failed to honor an earlier invitation from the Joint Ad-hoc Committee on Finance, Industry, Trade, and Investment, which is investigating the enforcement of the use of Benue sacks.
Egbodo’s motion appealed to the Assembly to invoke its powers to compel the local government officials to appear and provide necessary information for the ongoing investigation.
This move by the Benue Assembly reflects a dual focus on fiscal management and worker welfare, ensuring the state’s budget remains adaptable to urgent social and economic needs while holding officials accountable for their responsibilities.
