By Chioma Onuegbu

UYO—MEMBERS of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have passed into law a revised budget of N371.292 bilion for the 2017 fiscal year christened Budget of Consolidation.

The 2017 revised budget outlay, made up of N88.421 bilion recurrent expenditure, N201.997 billion capital expenditure and N80.870 billion Consolidated Revenue Fund charges,  was passed yesterday after deliberations by the lawmakers on the floor of the House.

The lawmakers unanimously approved the slight amendment in the budget as recommended in the report submitted at Tuesday’s plenary by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation chaired by Mr. Usoro Akpanusoh, member representing Ibeno/Esit Eket State constituency.

The lawmakers noted that the amendments in provisions in the Appropriation Bill followed recommendations and observations by stakeholders and the citizens during public hearing on the proposed Appropriation Bill.

It will be recalled that the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, had in December 22, 2016 presented a proposed N365.251 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2017 fiscal year which was broken down into N88.425 billion for recurrent expenditure, N193.956 billion for capital expenditure and N82.870 billion as Consolidated Revenue Fund charges for consideration and approval.