To ensure seamless implementation of the ‘Arise Agenda’, the blueprint of Governor Umo Eno’s administration in Akwa Ibom state, the State Executive Council, SEC, has given its nod to the N150 billion supplementary budget estimate for onward transmission to the House of Assembly for consideration and approval, it was learnt at the weekend.
The memorandum for the supplementary estimates was presented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Nsikan Linus Nkan, at the SEC meeting chaired by Governor Eno, at the Exco Chambers, Government House, Uyo, the state capital.
He explained that “this supplementary financial provision is premised on the need for the realignment of financial estimates with current realities, additional provisions for flood control and other state-wide erosion control interventions.”
The budgetary provisions, he added, would provide financial lifeline for effective take- off of the newly created Ministries, provisions for the construction of Model Primary, Secondary and Technical schools and “the provision of resources for the activation of the lofty promises encapsulated in the ‘Arise Agenda’.”
He explained that “the supplementary provisions in total of N150 billion, broken into recurrent N50.3 billion and the capital estimate of N99.689 billion. The estimates were discussed and adopted subject to the reflection of the agreed modifications.”
Other decisions taken at the meeting include the ratification of recommendations of the Finance and General Purposes Committee (FGPC) infrastructure expenditures were ratified regarding award of contract for the construction of 1.3 km underground discharge drain from Atiku Abubakar Avenue to Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Uyo, and the reconstruction of Udoinwang Road, as well as and the construction of erosion control facilities at Udoinwang gully erosion site, also in Uyo.
Besides, Exco granted approval for the state’s participation in the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms, SABER, which is jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, FMFBNP, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, Debt Management Office, DMO, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, financed by the World Bank.
