The one week old administration in Edo State has expressed its determination to hit the ground running by starting work on its first budget next week. Governor Godwin Obaseki made this known to members of the State House of Assembly who paid him a courtesy at the Government House in Benin.

The Governor said his pre-budget team would start discussing the 2017 Budget proposal with the House of Assembly from next week.

He said: “Next week, we will be sending our first executive bill to you. It is critical and when the time is right, we will know publicly. We want to work with you, and to assure you that the very step you take, we will first consult with you. Starting from next week, when we will be sending the team, the pre-budget team to come and meet with the Budget Committee of the house to seat down and begin to discuss the framework for next year budget.”

While pledging to run a transparent administration, which will at all times listen to the voices of the people, the Edo helmsman pledged that the government will build on the foundation laid by its predecessor.

His words: “I want to assure you that we are going to run a very transparent government and your duty of over sight is very important. You have in us, a listening government. We would rather hear from you before we talk to you. Like we have said on several occasion, this is the dawn of a new era.”

Responding, the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. (Dr.) Justin Okonobo said members of the State Assembly undertook the visit to familiarise themselves with the governor, just as he stated the readiness of members to work with Governor Obaseki. The Speaker declared that they were ready to make legislations that would be of benefit to the people of Edo State.