The Kwara State House of Assembly yesterday passed the state 2014 Appropriation Bill of N130,262,850,907.

The Budget size passed was increased with N5,736,893,794 or 4.61 per cent against N124,525,957,113 proposed by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in December last year.

The passage of the Appropriation was sequel to the  adoption of report of House Committee on Finance and Appropriation presented by its Chairman, Hon. Suleiman  Sunoboro Idris of Ilesha/Gwanara Constituency.

The approved Recurrent Revenue is N72,951,810,916 as against N72,214,917,122 presented by the governor, while the new Recurrent Expenditure is now N66,404,511,424 as against N578,912,919 presented to the House.

The new Transfer of Capital Expenditure is now N6, 547,299,492 against N6,389,318,617 presented, while the approved capital expenditure N63,858,339,483 contrary to N58,700,358,608 presented to the House.

After the adoption of the report, the Speaker, Barrister Razak Atunwa directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Oyetunde Oyeniyi to read the bill for the third time and it was consequently passed into law.

Barrister Atunwa said the Appropriation bill was passed into law in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Rule of the House.

He thereafter directed the Clerk to produce the clean copy of the bill and send it to the Governor for his assent.

The Budget according to the governor which was themed "Budget of Expansion for Inclusive Prosperity", was blueprint for sustaining on-going development and birthing major new projects to put more money in people's pocket, get more youths into work, remodel additional hospitals, build more schools and roads.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Herald, the Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Suleiman  Sunoboro Idris said the Budget was increased with N5 billion for internal loan because there may be delay in securing N30 billion bond included in the Budget.

He said the House will do its best to monitor the executive through oversight function to ensure proper implementation of the Budget.

"The budget is okay and the House will continue to monitor the executive because we need performance this time around", he said.

Meanwhile, the Speaker has hosted a Kwara footballer Mr. Taiwo Awoniyi who scored four goals in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirate last year.
Barrister Atunwa said he was extremely happy with Awoniyi because he had done Kwara and Nigeria proud in the world.

While noting that Awoniyi was among the five top players in the world cup, urged him to continue to be hard working and dedicated to his chosen carrier.

The Speaker later presented the cash gift of N250,000 to Awoniyi who alongside parents were full of appreciation for the honour done him.

Awoniyi said the honour would serve as motivation for him to do more best in his chosen carrier.