By Aniefiok Christopher
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has increased to ₦1,584,271,856,630 and then passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law.
Though the House did not explain why it raised the budgetary provision, Governor Umo Eno had presented a budget proposal of N1.390 trillion to the House for consideration and passage into law.
The 2026 budget consisting of N416,594,925,850 billion for Recurrent Expenditure and N1,167,676,930,780 trillion for Capital Expenditure, was passed on Tuesday, December 30, following the presentation of the report of Dr. Itorobong Etim, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
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The member representing the Oruk Anam state constituency, who is also the Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly, Hon. Sampson Idiong, moved a motion to receive the report. The motion was seconded by Lawrence Udoide and supported by the entire house.
During the presentation of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation’s report on the bill entitled: “A Bill for a Law to Appropriate Monies out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and Capital Development Fund to the Services of the Government of Akwa Ibom State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith,” Hon. Etim noted that Governor Umo Eno had submitted a total budget proposal of N1.390 trillion for the 2026 financial year on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
This figure, according to her, reflects a 16% decrease compared to the approved revised budget of N1.650 trillion for 2025.
Following some adjustments, the committee recommended that the House approved a total budget outlay of N1,584,271,856,630 trillion, made up of N416,594,925,850 billion allocated for recurrent expenditure and N1,167,676,930,780 trillion allocated for capital expenditure.
In addition, the committee proposed an increase of N61,728,000,000.00 billion for recurrent expenditure and N132,543,856,630 billion for capital expenditure, resulting in a total adjustment of N194,271,856,630.
The bill was subsequently read and adopted clause by clause by the Committee of Supply, chaired by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong.
After which, the motion for its third reading was moved by the Leader, Rt. Hon. (Barr) Otobong Bob, and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Hon. Nsidibe Akata.
The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikak-Abasi Orok, to send a clean copy of the bill to Governor Umo Eno for his assent.
Otong commended the lawmakers for their dedication and teamwork, which ensured the timely passage of the budget.
He also appreciated the management and staffers of the Assembly, as well as other stakeholders, for their support and contributions to the successful legislative process.
Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary to reconvene on Tuesday, January 13, 2025 at 12 noon.
