Anambra State House of Assembly yesterday adopted the report of the Finance and Appropriation committee of the house, which recommended the passage of the 2003 Appropriation Bill forwarded by the State Governor, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju in November 2002. The House had referred the bill N23.350 billion budget to the Finance and Appropriation committee for scrutiny.

The committee in turn called for public hearing. which lasted for two weeks during which ministerial and non ministerial departments in the state appeared before various committees of the house to defend their budgetary proposals.

Following the successful completion of all deliberations, the committee last week recommended the bill to the whole house for approval .

In its recommendation, the committee Chairman, Dr. Ache Enoch representing Rumba North constituency, thanked the various ministries and non ministerial departments for their contributions towards the successful completion of the committe's assignment, and expressed gratitude to the speaker, Chief Barth Onugbo, for the opportunity given them to serve in that capacity.

After the passage of the bill, the Speaker, Onugbolu, thanked the members for their contributions and expressed the hope that the governor would waste no time in singing the bill into law, to enhance the development of the state.

The budget which comprises the recurrent expenditure of N15.586 billion or (67%) and capital expenditure of N7.764 billion or (33%) is lower than the 2002 budget of N25.182 billion.