Sokoto Assembly approves additional N2.42bn virement request
NAN-H-41
Virement
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Thursday approved the request of the executive for another virement of N2.420 billion for 2016.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this followed the consideration of a report by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
The Committee Chairman, Alhaji Malami Ahmed (APC- Sokoto South II), while presenting the report to the Assembly, said that the amount requested was found to be necessary and a priority need of the state.
“The requested virement from the aforementioned Ministries and Departments was found to be necessary, and equally there are available funds from relevant subheads for the transfer within the affected ministry.
“Moreover, the capital and recurrent virement warrant requested affected the ministries of Environment, Water resources, Department of Political Affairs as well as Administration and General services,” he said.
The Speaker, Alhaji Salihu Maidaji, said that the report of the committee was considered and approved accordingly after the members unanimously accepted it in a voice vote.
In a related development, the House passed into law a Bill to amend the Public Procurement and Price Intelligence Law, 2013.
NAN reports that this followed the consideration of a report submitted by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
Ahmed said that the committee observed that there was need to incorporate provisions for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the bill.
“The provision of PPP should be incorporated into the law and it should reflect also in the title of the bill.
“Additional functions regarding PPP should be included in the functions of the Bureau in such a way that investments in state infrastructure through private sector funding are accelerated.
“This is by assisting the state government and MDAs to implement and establish effective PPP engagement in government procurement activities,” the committee chairman said.
He added that the law would also include the functions of the Bureau to ensure robust, transparent, efficient and equitable processes are developed.
“This is for managing the selection, development, procurement, implementation and monitoring of PPP projects and that the process is applied consistently to all relevant projects.
“It will also ensure efficient execution of any concession agreement or contract entered by the government and the advantages and requirements of PPP are well appreciated at the state level, among others,” Ahmed said.
The Speaker said that the committee’s recommendations were considered and remains part of the report, and the lawmakers unanimously accepted it when put to vote.
He said: “The Bill is therefore read the third time and passed into law of Sokoto State for the overall development of the people,” Maidaji said.
Meanwhile, the House received a letter from Gov. Aminu Tambuwal seeking approval for the appointment of Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed as the new state Auditor General.
Tambuwal said that the nomination followed the retirement of the former auditor general, Malam Sambo Nawawi, who left service in July. (NAN)
MNB/AOS/MST
Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola