ANAMBRA PROPOSES N66.68B BUDGET FOR 2011

ANAMBRA State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has presented a budget size of N66.676 billion for the 2011 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly. The Amount represents a reduction of 1.66 per cent over the 2010 budget.

The budget, tagged: 'The People's Budget of Integrated Development IV,' is made up of N33.691 billion capital expenditure and N32.985 billion for recurrent expenditure.

The governor announced that the bulk of the revenue of 70 per cent was expected from the state share of Federation Account while the sum of N12 billion was to be realised from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Obi explained that the budget is balanced with total expenditure programmed to equal total receipts, promising that government efforts is geared towards addressing developmental problems across all sectors simultaneously.

The governor assured that his administration would sustain the provision of the socio-economic amenities and infrastructure needed for development including roads, health, education, Agriculture, Water supply and Housing, stressing that he also continue to effect the prompt payment of salaries and allowances of civil servants and pensions.

According to him, ''government would reach out to more development partners, sustain the good relationship between the state and the existing partners and encourage wider public-private partnership in all developmental efforts,' adding that a bill is already in the making.

'Government would also continue to explore alternative strategies for effectively increasing the state's Internally Generated Revenue, explore and adopt measures needed for the maintenance of security of lives and property,' Obi added.

He continued, 'all on-going projects would be completed, while efforts would be sustained in promoting the implementation of those programmes and projects that addressed the critical targets of Millennium Development Goals, Vision 2020 and ANIDS.'

Obi assured that government would sustain various interventions in the areas of poverty reduction, eradication of hunger, as well as, continue with the strategies for the enthronement of good governance and fiscal responsibility.

While the state chief executive observed that the success and achievability of the budget will depend on the co-operation of Ndi Anambra, he, however, appealed for support, as well as, conducive social and political environment that will greatly facilitate development efforts.

The Speaker of the House, Chief Anayo Nebe, while receiving the budget, commended Obi for making the state proud through his remarkable achievements.

Nebe assured that the budget will receive accelerated consideration and quick passage, as he assured Assembly's continue support to sustain enduring peace and enabling environment for the implementation of the budget successful.

The bill received the first reading and was later referred to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.