Ugwuanyi assents to 2017 budget *Assembly commends his prudent resource management

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State Tuesday assented to the state’s 2017 budget estimates, reiterating the determination of his administration to effect its diligent execution to “break through the storm of the present difficult economic condition in the country.”

The legislative arm of government had last week passed the budget which the governor had presented on the floor of the State House of Assembly before Christmas break last year.

At the formal presentation of the budget for Governor Ugwuanyi’s assent Tuesday at the Government House, Enugu, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, commended him for the very able way he has been managing the resources of the state.

The Speaker also applauded the professionalism displayed by the state’s budget office and the state executive council members during the budget defence just as he commended the cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature in the state.

Speaking during the brief ceremony, Governor Ugwuanyi commended the legislators for the speedy passage of the budget and assured that the budget will be fully implemented to realise the overall objectives of developing the state.

The governor had on December 23, 2016 presented a budget estimate of N105.719billion tagged, “Budget of Economic Recovery and Inclusive Development” to Enugu State House of Assembly, explaining that the budget was so christened to reflect the determination to make huge investments in physical and social infrastructure both at State and Local Governments to stimulate economic activities at all levels for inclusive economic growth.

He had assured the people of the state that “the outcome of successful execution of the projects in this regard as articulated in the 2017 Budget will impact positively on the lives of our people in the 17 Local Government Areas of the State”.

Governor Ugwuanyi further hinted that “attention will also be given to job creation through small and medium entrepreneurship development, skill acquisition and youth empowerment. We will also leverage on Public Private Partnership in agriculture, real estate development, and commerce and industry to drive our commitment to transform the State from public to private sector economy” just as he assured that within the fiscal year, the high level of security in the State will be sustained and made more formidable.