Category: South East

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday presented a budget proposal of N469.5 billion for 2022 fiscal year to the House of Assembly.

Okowa, presenting the budget named “Budget of inclusive growth and accelerated development”, to the assembly in Asaba, said it showed an increase of N85.54 billion over that of 2021 approved budget of N383.9 billion.

He said the increase was based on anticipated exchange rate gains, increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) collection and other capital receipts.

“There is also a corresponding improvement in our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which gives allowance to capture 80 per cent of our ongoing projects in the budget.

“So, none of the projects we initiated is uncompleted by the time this administration completes its tenure,” he said.

Okowa said the budget was made up of N185.3 billion for Recurrent Expenditure and N284.1 billion for Capital Expenditure.

He said the total projected recurrent expenditure of the budget would be spent to meet government’s financial obligations on salaries, wages and the day to day running of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

“The capital expenditure for the 2022 budget is higher than that of 2021 by 60.5 per cent and it will be utilised in funding infrastructural development, acquisition of assets and investments in human capital expenditure.

“The increase in capital expenditure over the previous year’s approved budget once again underscores our commitment to channel more resources to the growth and productive sectors of our economy,” he said.

The governor said the 2022 budget was targeted at completion of ongoing projects, as well as new ones in the critical areas of need.

According to him, it will also focus on transparency and proper accountability in public expenditure so that citizens can always get value for money in all projects and programmes of government.

Okowa said the budget would be funded from the regular revenue sources, including opening balance from the previous year, statutory allocation, 13 per cent oil mineral fund, taxes and non-tax revenue fees, fines, permits, rents, interests, among others.

He reiterated that his administration would continue to give intensive taxpayer education, as well as make improvements in tax audits and enforcement to boost the IGR of the state.

On the implementation of the 2021 budget, he noted that the state received N220.6 billion during the first eight months of the year as against the expected proportionate revenue of N255.9 billion.

According to him, this represents 86 per cent budget performance, which is a good score in the face of the current uncertainties in the economy.

“Out of this amount, N45.73 billion was generated as IGR against the proportionate figure of N43.75 billion, which represent 105 per cent budget performance,” he said.

Okowa, however, noted that the 2022 budget would be the last to be implemented by his administration.

He reiterated that his administration would be careful to pursue prudent policy stance that would entrench efficient spending, curb waste and engender inclusive to enable him deliver excellently.

Speaker Sheriff Oboriovwori hailed Okowa for his transparent and accountable system of government.

He assured him of speedy consideration of the Appropriation Bill.

 

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State have clashed over the state’s health insurance scheme, which the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration said residents and organisations must mandatorily key into.

Edo APC, through its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Victor Osehobo, yesterday in Benin accused Obaseki’s government of insincerity in the health insurance scheme launched on October 31, 2019, sequel to the bill for a law, earlier passed by members of the House of Assembly and assented to by Obaseki.

APC in Edo declared that it had gone through a copy of the law and could not find any section that gave the state governor or Edo government power to make it compulsory for residents and organisations to key into the scheme.

It said: “Perhaps, Obaseki’s administration has forgotten about the law and has now resorted to self-help. Edo people are aware of the many failed promises of Obaseki’s government.”

PDP through its state Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, however, said opposition politics required intelligence, tact and not lies and deception

The party said: “APC’s attack on Edo State Government’s decision to make the possession of a health insurance card mandatory can best be described as infantile, shortsighted and anti-people.

“Health care is a critical service that undergirds the survival of any society, contributing significantly to the living standard of the people.”

 

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has sworn in Justice Theresa Chikeka as the acting Chief Judge (CJ).

He urged her to unify the Bench and the Bar for a stronger and virile judiciary.

Performing the ceremony at the New Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Owerri, yesterday, Governor Uzodimma told Justice Chikeka and the audience that her “appointment is a call to duty aimed at inspiring and unifying the Bench and the Bar and making the entire judiciary more efficient and effective.”

He told the acting CJ that her office is not just a rallying point for judicial officers, but also one that synergises proceedings and justice delivery of the state.

Uzodimma admonished the acting chief judge to be a shining light for members of the Bench and the Bar and work assiduously not to disappoint those who had confidence in her.

He said it is part of his administration’s resolve to “fine tune and strategically position the judiciary as the third arm of the government.”

The governor said Chikeka’s appointment was on merit, devoid of bickering and rancour, noting that “the exercise that produced the acting chief judge went through due process.”

Justice Chikeka promised to uphold the oath of office she took by discharging her duties “without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”

She thanked God Almighty for her appointment and the governor for the confidence reposed in her by finding her worthy of the appointment.

Chikeka assured the governor and her audience that her tenure would witness a stronger and virile judiciary.