The management of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly says the 2023 budgetary allocation for the state lawmakers is inadequate.
According to them, provisions for members’ furniture allowances, gratuity and public hearing, among others, are omitted in the budget.
Alhaji Alkali Haruna, the Director of Finance and Accounts of the assembly made this known while defending the 2023 budget of the assembly before the House Committee on Welfare on Wednesday in Lafia.
“This year’s budget is a budget of transition in the house because we will be having new members in 2023.
“There is the need for budget for members furniture allowances, vehicles, gratuity and retreat, among others.
“If this budget is not reviewed upward, believe me, we will have problems at the end of the day.
“What bothers us most is that we submitted budget of 3.5 billion but we wonder why the finance ministry cut it down to 1.7 billion.
“It is important to draw the attention of the house to the development so that something urgent should be done.
“If it is not done, at least we will be vindicated at the end of the day when issues will start cropping up,” Alkali added.
He commended the speaker for being up and doing in ensuring improved standard of living of the staff of the assembly.
Also appeared before the House Committee on Welfare was the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Service Commission led by Mr Mohammed Musa, the Secretary of the Commission, thanking the committee for its effective synergy with the commission.
He said that the commission would continue to remain grateful to the house leadership and Gov. Abdullahi Sule of the state for their efforts in ensuring the development of the commission, the house and the entire state.
Responding, Mr Abel Bala, the Chairman, House Committee on Welfare, assured them that the staff of the leadership would continue to improve on the welfare of its staff.(NAN)
