By PETER DURU

MAKURDI— Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, yesterday, presented a budget estimate of N130.9 billion to the Benue State House of Assembly for the 2013 fiscal year.

The estimate was Christened Budget of Development and Growth Effectiveness.

Suswam urged members of the House to ensure accelerated passage of the bill to enable his administration carry on with its developmental programmes.

A breakdown of the estimate showed that N68.5 billion was set aside for capital projects, while recurrent expenditure would gulp over N67.5 billion.

Personnel cost received N39.8 billion or 30.45% of the proposed budget, while expected overhead costs received N22.6 billion or 17.23% of the budget.

Suswam lamented the increasing annual wage bill in the state, which he put at over N39 billion.