Ahead of the presentation of the 2018 Budget proposal to the
State House of Assembly, Governor Udom Emmanuel has been commended for
effective implementation of the 2017 budget in view of the economic situation
in the country.
Commissioner for Special Duties and Housing, Mr Akan Okon stated
this in an interaction with journalists shortly after an enlarged State
Executive Council Meeting.
Mr
Okon who was the immediate-past Commissioner for Finance in the State said
though what came into the State was below the budget estimates, Governor Udom
Emmanuel displayed his financial ingenuity to ensure effective implementation.
He
said the 2018 budget will be used to complete on-going projects in addition to
the new ones that government will embark on.
The
Special Duties Commissioner hinted that details of the projects will be
provided by the Commissioner for Finance while the Governor will provide the
details of the actual figure of the budget soon to be presented to the State
House of Assembly.
“The
budget projection takes into consideration the present economic situation in
the country, bearing in mind the level of inflation and the exchange rate
fluctuation,” Mr Okon stated, adding that the budget size will be known in the
floor of the house.
Setting
the tone for the post State Executive Council Meeting media briefing,
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh said far reaching
decisions were taken while others were deliberated upon.
He
hinted that beyond the draft budget proposal for the year 2018 as presented by
the Ministry of Finance to the State Executive Council, a – four man committee
was constituted to plan for the funeral service of the late Commissioner for
Commerce and Industry, Professor Eno Ikpe who passed on last week.
The
State Executive meeting was preceded by the swearing-in of two new
commissioners, Barrister Ibanga Ime Akpabio posted to the Ministry of Labour,
Productivity and Manpower Planning, and Professor Victor Bassey Inokak who has
been assigned to the Ministry of Education.
The
newly-sworn-in Commissioner for Education promised to key into great visionary
leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel whom he said is building a bridge to take
Akwa Ibom to the future.
To
this end, he pledged to give “total and unflinching loyalty, dedication and
commitment in the service of the State.”
Ndifreke
P. Akpan (Govt. House) Reports!!!!
No comments: