Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel has signed the Year 2017 Appropriation Bill of Three hundred and Seventy one Billion Naira into Law.
Assenting to the bill at Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo, Governor Emmanuel expressed appreciation to the Leadership of the 6th Assembly for their painstaking effort in scrutinizing the bill and subsequent passage culminating in the presentation for assent.
He commended the Legislature for it unity of purpose saying they have worked for unity and good of the people of state. “Let me use this opportunity to thank the Leadership of the 6th Assembly for the great work of unity and fairness which they have done for the people of the state. They have placed the interest of the state above self and the public expect nothing more than this show of unity and togetherness in moving the state forward ” Governor Emmanuel enthused.
He assured that the Budget tagged” Budget of Consolidation” would facilitate the implementation of the state’ s economic and development blueprint.
“I have before me a bill which has been deliberated and passed by the state House of Assembly which we need to give assent to become a law. I hereby assent to 2017 Appropriation Bill in line with the extent of work done by the Legislators and duly authenticated by the Clerk of the House. This Budget has been tagged Budget of Consolidation and together in unity and one accord we ‘ll work to consolidate the gains of previous years and expand opportunity for our people in the year 2017”
In an interview with Government House Correspondents, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Hon Onofiok Luke, said that the House through it Appropriation Committee thoroughly scrutinised the Budget in accordance with the provisions of the law
He expressed optimism that the assent of the bill will enable the Executive to deliver on it development programmes.
The Permanent Secretary Budget, Pastor Nicholas Ekarika, thanked the State House of Assembly for the speedy consideration and passage of the bill for assent by the state Governor.
The approved estmate of Three Hundred and Seventy-One Billion Naira is against the initial amount of three hundred and sixty five billion naira earlier presented to the 6th Assembly by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
