The Akwa Ibom State government says rural development remains its major target in the 2017 fiscal year.
The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Nsikan Linus Nkan dropped the hints
during the 2017 budget breakdown held at le Meridian Ibom Hotel and Gulf
Resorts, Uyo.
According to the estimates, capital expenditure gulps
N201,997,800,000 while recurrent expenditure was assigned
N169,294,685,580.
According to the
commissioner, the sum total of what is in the 2017 budget is the promise
of the governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel to Akwa Ibom people and prayed for
the availability of funds for the execution of projects as captured in
this year’s budget.
He called on Akwa Ibom people to pay their tax
as at when due in order to make it possible for government to achieve
all that has been captured in the budget as a result of the times the
country finds itself.
“Whatever we need can be achieved through a
supplementary budget but the government did not want an over bloated
budget but one that we can achieve 70 % implementation.”
The
commissioner commended the state lawmakers for the cooperation and swift
passage of the appropriation bill and all stakeholders who contributed
to the passage of the 2017 appropriation bill on time.
In his
remark, the chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on appropriation
and finance, Dr Usoro Akpanusoh appealed to heads of government
ministries, agencies and departments to open their doors and receive
lawmakers on oversight duty.
According to the Esit Eket Ibeno
representative, this is one way to ensure that the budget is implemented
as the lawmakers have the power to appeal to the state government for
prompt release of funds for smooth implementation.
Contributions
were made by those who attended the budget break down including Sir Dr
Val Attah who advised that in preparing the budget funds from
international donor agencies should be sought after and accessed for the
benefit of the people of the state.
The NUJ Chairman, Elder Patrick
Albert appealed that budget details be made available to the 4th Estate
of the Realm for oversight functions while increase budgetary
provisions for Education and health sectors was also canvassed by NLC.
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