A’Ibom Speaker Hails Implementation of State’s Budgets

Okon Bassey

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke has lauded the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for exceeding expectations in the implementation of the state budget since coming on board 2015.

He said having monitored the budget programme for over three years and considered the pros and cons in his capacity as speaker, he believes since 2015, the state’s commonwealth has been safe, and has been seen and felt in the massive growth and development of critical sectors of the economy.

The speaker, while reacting to the 2019 budget announcement by the governor, said: “Our state has become a safe haven for citizens, visitors, tourists, and investors. For a typical budget to fully derive or meet the goals and expectations of a fiscal year, it must be driven by integrity, accountability, fiscal responsibility, vision and pragmatism.

“That is so because it is one thing to have a budget but an entirely different thing to have it implemented to the letter within the context of available resources and set aims.

“I must state here categorically clear that the administration of our performing Governor has met the above stated criteria in budgeting,” he said.

Luke noted that the governor came to power at a time of great need by the people of the state.

He pointed out that the state administration leveraged the therapy of professionalism and sound financial management to keep the state above troubled waters at a time of nationwide economic downturn.

“With the support of the 6th assembly, this administration did not only ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries, gratuities and pensions as at when due, but embarked on, and sustained its massive infrastructural development and industrialisation agenda.”