Imo Assembly Passes 2014 State Budget

The Imo State House of Assembly, Thursday, Unanimously approved the sum of N137,684,673, 119 (One Hundred and Thirty Seven Billion, Six Hundred and Eight Four Million, six Hundred and Seventy three thousand, one Hundred and Nineteen Naira, as the total annual budget of the state for the 2014 fiscal year.

The budget passage which was deliberated at the committee of the Whole House however, recorded a slight increase from the N137,026,528,434,initially estimated by the Executive arm of the government.

Delivering the report of the House standing Committee on budget and appropriation at the committee of the Whole House, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, who was also chairman of the Committee of the Whole House, explained that the slight increase observed in the budget was to augment the shortfall of budgetary revenue accruing to Ministries, Agencies and Departments of government to shore - up their services for the better living conditions of the citizens of the state.

The Member representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency, Hon. Simeon Iwunze, while contributing to the passage of the budget, called for the adequate funding of the government ministries, as well as support to revenue agencies in the state to ensure the smooth workability of the budget for the common good of the people of the state.

Also speaking, the member representing Owerri West State Constituency, Hon. Innocent Eke, expressed happiness that relevant sectors of the state's economy, such as education, agriculture and roads, positively benefited from the budget, stressing that with special attention on inter-zonal roads, Imo State was already in for rapid development.

At the resumption of plenary, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, expressed gratitude to the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, for his continued support to the affairs of the House, while extolling sterling attributes of his colleagues, as well as their unflinching support and sacrifices towards ensuring the visions of the present administration for a better Imo state is achieved.

While announcing the decision of the House to proceed on its annual recess, the Speaker further thanked the media, workers and the good people of the state for standing solidly by them towards ensuring that Imo State gets better.

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwagumogu, also disclosed that at the resumption of its plenary on the 9th day of September, 2014, the House would formally celebrate its 3rd year anniversary at the newly refurbished state - of - the - arts Assembly Complex to the glory of God.

Meanwhile, the House had also at its plenary approved three commissioner nominees for the State executive Council. They are:

Prof. Mrs. Adaobi Obasi - Nwangele LGA
Chief Kenneth Anabi - Isu LGA
Sir Frank Ibezim - Ehime Mbano