A-Ibom Assembly passes 2017 Appropriation bill of N371.29bn into law; Urges Gov. Emmanuel to make budget available to public

By Our Special Correspondent

 The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the 2017 appropriation bill of N371.29 billion into law as against N423 billion in 2016.

The budget as passed by the House is increased by N6 billion as against N365 billion presented by Gov. Udom Emmanuel on December last year.

The budget is made up of N88. 424 billion for recurrent expenditure, N201.997 billion for capital expenditure and N80. 87 billion as consolidated revenue charges.

Chairman, Finance and Appropriation Committee, Mr Usoroh Akpanusoh during the presentation of the report to the House, urged the executive to implement the budget as passed.

Akpanusoh, also appealed to the state government to ensure that, the amount appropriated were promptly released to MDAs and to ensure judicious used of the funds as budgeted.

He added that every Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) should submit a quarterly report to the House through the various committees on the level of budget implementation and on releases of funds.

Akpanusoh however, commended the governor for adopting  a transparent and detailed accounting system in preparing the budget.

The Speaker, Mr Onofiok Luke, commended the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for their painstaking job to ensure prompt passage of the appropriation estimate into law, as well as applauded the state government for prudent management of resources to the development of infrastructures in the state.

He explained that the N6 billion increases were necessitated by MDAs during their budget defence and the need to enhance rehabilitation of schools and improve on health facilities in the state.

The speaker urged the executive to make the budget available to the public after the governor’s assent, and directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Mandu Umoren, to forward the appropriation law to the governor for assent.