Plateau, APC set for presidential campaign flag-off, says Lalong

• Presents N139.3b budget for 2023

Director-General of All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, has said the state and the party are ready for the presidential campaign flag-off, today.

Lalong, who inspected the Rwang Pam Township Stadium in Jos, yesterday, billed to host the flag-off by President Muhammadu Buhari, said all is set for a hitch-free and colourful event.

According to him, the state will sustain its record of hosting national party conventions and presidential campaigns that produce Nigerian presidents.
He said the city of Jos and Plateau were already agog, as APC faithful and the citizens prepare to receive APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima; APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, governors, among other leaders and members of the party across the nation.

The governor said: “Anybody who is declared here goes on to win the presidential election. We know of Moshood Abiola and Olusegun Obasanjo. Tinubu is also going the same way because we have been blessed. I am very impressed with the show of hospitality and excitement among the citizens who are ready to receive the victory of APC.”

MEANWHILE, Lalong has presented N139.3 billion as proposed Appropriation Bill for 2023 fiscal year to the House of Assembly for consideration.

Tagged ‘Budget of Infrastructural Consolidation And Transition’, Lalong disclosed: “The 2023 budget has an increase of 37 per cent, which amounts to N32.6 billion, compared to last year’s N106.7 billion.”

According to him, the budget size is in line with the Rescue Administration’s pursuit of global best practices in governance, adding that the budget draft estimate has been carefully proposed using the state’s Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability (SIFTAS) guidelines.

Lalong also told the house that the budget is in line with International Public Accounting Standards (IPAS), a standard every state is expected to comply with.

“Having fulfilled the provisions of Section 121 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by reading the budget, it is now honour to seek the permission of the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly to lay before it the 2023 budget of N139,357,144,980.38 for consideration and passage into law,” he submitted.

Responding, the Speaker, Yakubu Sanda, having listened carefully to the budget presentation, assured the governor of the House’s readiness and commitment to accord the Appropriation Bill the desired attention and seriousness it deserved.

Sanda added that they would immediately swing into action to commence work on the bill and ensure its passage in record time for the governor’s assent and implementation.