Benue Assembly approves downward review of 2024 supplementary budget 

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi 

Benue state house of assembly has approved for the downward review of the 2024 supplementary budget to the tune of twenty billion, five hundred and ninety two million, eight hundred and ninety five thousand, nine hundred and seventy six naira forty two Kobo.

The house gave the approval during Monday’s plenary following a correspondence from Governor Hyacinth Alia and read by the speaker Mr Aondona Dajoh.

According to the correspondence, Governor Alia stated that, the decision was to help accommodate the ongoing negotiation surrounding payment of new minimum wage to Benue workers.

The Governor further explained that, the revision of the supplementary budget would ensure that government remains financially responsible while also meeting the expectations of workers who are struggling with rising cost of living.

Governor Alia stated that, the reduction of the supplementary budget would also ease implementation of the new minimum wage and send a positive signal to the public that the government was committed to balancing fiscal prudence with socal equity.

He suggested some measures including  reallocation of non essential Expenditure, reduction of administrative costs, postponement or phase out of certain capital projects and identify saving in public sector spending