The Year 2016 Akwa Ibom State Appropriation Bill has been signed into Law. A break down of the Estimates has N94.6 Billion Naira for Recurrent Expenditure, N243 Billion Naira for Capital Expenditure while N85 Billion Naira is for Consolidated Revenue and Front Charge.

The State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel who signed the  Budget christened “Budget of Sustainable Development” at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo, remarked that the timely passage of the bill was a clear indication of the shared focus of development between the Executive and the Judiciary.

“All over the democratic world, budgets and its associated issues are always contentious, and the outcome is always a product of horse-trading. I am proud to say that here in Akwa Ibom state, we did not have to engage in horse-trading, we did not have to go into long and bruising contentious arguments over some asinine issues:”

“The 6th Assembly under the leadership of our dynamic Speaker, Rt. Honourable (Barrister) Onofiok Luke and the wonderful Honourable members of the 6th Assembly, put the people’s business over every other consideration. Let me use this opportunity to thank you all for the great work you have done for our people, the unparalleled cooperation you have exhibited and the task that is ahead of us, as we work to bring democratic goodies to our people and create opportunities for growth and prosperity.” The Governor stated.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to develop the state and free the citizens from the shackles of poverty and economic backwardness to enable them rise to their God given potentials. “Let me reiterate here that our eyes remained fixed squarely on the bill, our entire governance scheme is dedicated to the lifting of our people from the depth of despondency and encourage them to rise to the faith of the greatness that is embedded in every Akwa Ibom person- the ‘dakkada spirit.”

The State Chief Executive used the occasion to congratulate the Speaker Rt. Hon Barrister Onofiok Luke, on his birthday Anniversary.

Earlier the Commissioner for Finance Mr Akan Okon, lauded the members of the State  House of Assembly for the speedy deliberation, detailed study of the fiscal estimate,  robust plenary with the stakeholders as well as meeting with all the Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies to identify their estimates.

He expressed  hope that the synergy of purpose for the development of the state has made the sixth Assembly a worthy partner in the superior performance which is the focus of the administration and thanked the Governor for holding firm his vision to bequeath a legacy of development in the state.