Wike presents N530bn budget proposal to Rivers Assembly

By Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has presented a budget proposal of N530, 813,357, 619bn for the 2020 fiscal year to the House of Assembly for consideration and passage.

The document was tagged budget of “Reassurance, profound impact for inclusive growth and shared prosperity”.

The Rivers State Government in 2019 budgeted N480billion for recurrent and capital expenditure.

Presenting the proposal to the lawmakers, Wike said the budget covers the new Minimum wage of workers and included those to be employed in the state in the New Year.

He noted that the budget has total recurrent expenditure of N156, 659,436,569 bn while Capital expenditure is N374,153, 920,743 bn.

Wike said: “The capital expenditure for 2020 is estimated to be N374, 153,920,743.00 which constitutes nearly 70% of the total budget. The summary of sectoral allocations of the capital expenditure is as follows:

“Administrative sector gets N15, 061,008,000; Economics sectorN136, 444,523,766.60 and Law and Justice, will get N2, 400,000,000, and Social sector gets N138, 558,553,322.35.

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“Others are Special head that is to receive, N57, 367,124,462.05, and the sum of N24, 322,731,192 planned for the repayment of monies earlier borrowed.”

Wike stated that the sum of N93,968,823,766.60 has been provided for the Ministry of Works to continue to fund the strategic road development programme for 2020.

He said that several roads are under construction but the Government is committed to delivering some key roads by the end of 2020.

The Governor said that the following schools would be upgraded in 2020:

“Enitonia High School, Port Harcourt in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Government Secondary School, Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Community Secondary School, Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, CommunitySecondary School, Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

Others are: Bonny National Grammar School, Bonny in Bonny Local Government Area, Government Secondary School, Okarki in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Western Ahoada Central High School, Ahoada in Ahoada East Local Government Area, Government Secondary School, Abua in Abua/Odual Local Government Area.

Also to receive the Governmment’s attention are: Government Secondary School, Okporowo -Ogbakiri, Emohua Local Government Area, Government Secondary School, Obuama in Degema Local Government Area, Community Secondary School, Omuanwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Model Secondary School Bakana in Degema Local Government Area and Model Secondary School, Tombia in Degema Local Government Area.”