Reps pass N4.987 trn budget for 2013

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, passed the 2013 budget of N4.987 trillion as against the N4.924 trillion presented by President Goodluck Jonathan.

This represents a difference of N63 billion.

It is comprised of N387.9 billion for statutory transfers, N591.7 billion for debt services.

The budget is also made up of N2.3 trillion as recurrent non-debt expenditure, N1.6 trillion for contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure for the year ending Dec. 31, 2013.

All unutilised capital expenditure in the 2012 budget have been rolled over to form part of the 2013 Appropriation Act.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, who presided enjoined all standing committees of the House to carry out their oversight function in order to ensure full implementation of capital projects.

The spending plans assumed a 79 dollars a barrel benchmark oil price as against the 75 dollars submitted to the National Assembly by the president.