Umahi signs 2021 budget into law, says int'l airport starts operation next yr

 


By Victor Nwegede



Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Tuesday signed into law the appropriate bill of one  hundred and twenty two billion, eight hundred and fifty two million, forty five thousand, two hundred and twenty two naira, forty nine kobo (N266,644,273,305.04) for the 2021 fiscal year.


Umahi during the event at new Exco-Chambers, Government House, Abakaliki, thanked the State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Chief Francis Nwifuru for the speedy passage of the bill, describing the House as the most peaceful in the Federation. 

He noted that with the cooperation of the House, his administration was able to secure grant of about 13.3 million US dollars for project execution. 

The governor commended all the arms of government and their officials for the partnership, and stated that his defection to the APC was completely divine to further unify the country. 

He extolled President Muhammadu Buhari's led administration for release of funds and other interventions that have facilitated the development of the State. 

"We have never been favoured as a state under any administration like under President Muhammadu Buhari," he said.

Governor Umahi who thanked the Elders' Council and Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN for their prayers and moral support to his administration, eulogized former Governor Martin Elechi for acting as a destiny helper to bring him to power. 

He expressed optimism that with the budget signed into law, his administration would complete the international airport,  the teaching hospital, building materials market among others in 2021.

"The first plane must land in our airport before the end of 2021," he hinted.

Presenting the budget to the governor, the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly,  Chief Francis Nwifuru said the budget passed through all the legislative processes and expressed hope that the budget would bring more development to the State. 

Earlier,  the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Cletus Ofoke said the budget conformed to all legal requirements and would place the State on the right footing for accelerated development of the State.  

Recall that the 2021 budget is titled the budget of stabilization and consolidation in a recession. 

Members of Ebonyi State Executive Council, Council Chairmen among other government functionaries witnessed the event.