GOV. UDOM EMMANUEL SENDS 2021 SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET OF 136.5BN TO A'IBOM ASSEMBLY.

  Williams Akpabio - Information Unit (AKHA), Uyo

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly at it's tuesday's plenary received  "A Bill for a law to make supplementary provision for the service of Akwa Ibom State Government for the year ending on 31st December, 2021" from the state government for consideration and approval.

This Bill according to the House Leader Rt. Hon. Udo Kieran and member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, while presenting the Bill at the floor of the house said the supplementary estimates were based on inflation, exchange rate and other financial accidentals. He also noted that natural disasters occurred in the past few months, were not captured in the budget, but require urgent government intervention.

The supplementary estimates is expected to cater for Agriculture, Special Duties (Airport), Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Works, Transport and Fire service etc.

The Bill gave a proposition of  136,504,539,000 ( Recurrent Estimates 39,302,000,000 and Capital Estimates 97,202,539,000) to make 2021 State Budget size to sum 592.7BN.

The Bill Scaling through second reading through accelerated legislation, the Speaker Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey committed the Bill to House Committee on Appropriation and Finance for further legislative actions, and gave the committee one week to report back to the house.

Similarly, Traditional Rulers (2nd Amendment) Bill 2021 scaled through second reading and was committed to House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for indepth study. 

The Amendment of Cap 134 LAKS 2000 is expected to correct the long title to Akwa Ibom State Council of Traditional Rulers and tenure of the Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers to pave way for second term after the first two years in office as the Chairman Akwa Ibom State Council of Traditional Rulers at the discreation of the Governor.

Furthermore, during deliberations, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency in his support for the Bill opined that while  considering the amendment of this law, that provision should be made to make our traditional institution to face a match with other traditional institutions in other ethnical organizations in the country like the Olu of Warri. Oba of Bennin, Obong of Calabar, Oni of Ife. etc.

Moreso, the House also resolved that His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel  should direct and empower the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture to revamp Ikot Abasi Fish farm and Hatchery Complex.

This resolution follows a motion moved under Order III, Rules I and II of the Standing Order of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly by Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudo, member representing Ikot Abasi State Constituency on the state of fish farm and Hatchery and therefore called for revamping.

However, the House adjourned its plenary to reconvene on Thursday 16th September, 2021 at 10.00 hrs.