The Executive Chairman, Afikpo North Local Government Area, Hon. Uchenna Ibiam, on Wednesday, presented the 2023 appropriation bill of Two Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million,Eight Hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand,Two hundred and Twenty Four Naira Twenty Six Kobo (N2,915,858,224.26) to the legislative council.
The 2023 appropriation bill tagged, 'progress and prosperity' to the Afikpo people, has recurrent Expenditure of One Billion,Nine Hundred and Ninety Six Million,Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand,Three hundred and Seventy Three Naira Sixty Two Kobo(N1,996,830,373.62) which shows that over 68% of total expenditure will go for Recurrent Expenditure, while 32% will be for Capital Expenditure of Nine Hundred an Eighteen Million,Four Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand,Eight Hundred and Fifty Naira Sixty Five Kobo (N918,427,850.65).
Hon. Ibiam revealed that the reason for high recurrent expenditure is born out of his determination to enhance the welfare need of the staff and citizen of this Local Government Area.
In his speech before the budget presentation, the council Boss, said, "Today stands majestically in history as a great day in which you graciously welcomed me into this year hallowed Chamber to address you and present the Local Government's 2023 Appropriation Bills.
"We thank God for the opportunity for us to be together in piloting the affairs of Afikpo North Local government Area at this particular time in history. I must with all due respect offer my deep appreciation to all the people of this great Local Government Area for the trust and confidence they reposed on us by voting that the we lead them for the next two years. And for you,my leader and honorable councilors,you have been wonderful and supportive so far.I am convinced that with our collective will and resilience,we will serve our people to the best of our ability and at the end,our people will be better than how we meet them.
"My Leader sir,and Honourable Councilors,today a journey of selfless service to and upliftment of the welfare of the masses of Afikpo North Local Government Area has just begun.I want to assure you thatour call is of God and He has good plans for all of us but we have to be truthful in our service to our people, our party and Government. Today,I lay before you the 2023 Budget Estimates and the Appropriate Bill tagged Budget of Progress and Prosperity to the people of Afikpo North Local Government Area.I sincerely believe that our efforts will definitely come to fruition with God's providence and our conscious efforts.
"I want to inform you that this is the first Budget of this administration. Therefore,I urge you to expeditiously study and pass the 2023 Estimate Appropriate Bill into law;so as to enable the council to start in earnest the numerous projects earmarked to better the welfare of the people of Afikpo North Local Government Area.Let me thank you very highly in advance for a priceless commitment in your prompt deliberations and quick passage of the bill.You are indeed a divine partner in our collective quest in moving our local government to the next level.
2.0. 2023 Budget Policy Thrust: the budget thrust of this Administration is broadly based on Human,InfrastructuraI and Economic Development of Afikpo North Local Government Area.
"My Leader and Honourable Councilors, it is crucial to further note that my Adminstration will continue to raise the bar of governance through prudent spending, transparent and accountability,high ethical standards in the discharging of responsibilities,zero tolerance to corruption and strict observation of due process and rule of law.
Budget Indices: The total outlay of the 2023 Fiscal Year is Two Billion,Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million,Eight Hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand,Two hundred and Twenty Four Naira Twenty Six Kobo(N2,915,858,224.26) this is made up of Recurrent Expenditure of One Billion,Nine Hundred and Ninety Six Million,Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand,Three hundred and Seventy Three Naira Sixty Two Kobo(N1,996,830,373.62)This shows that over 68% of our total expenditure will go for Recurrent Expenditure. Thereby leaving on 32% for Capital Expenditure of Nine Hundred an Eighteen Million,Four Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand,Eight Hundred and Fifty Naira Sixty Five Kobo (N918,427,850.65)the reason for high recurrent expenditure is the upliftment of welfare need of the staff and citizen of this Local Government Area".
He however, hilighlightef some of the Sectoral Allocation of the budget as follows;
"The Economic Sector got a lion share of the capital expenditure with Five Hundred and Seventeen Million,Nine Hundred and Fourty One Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety Seven naira,Sixty Kobo (N517,941,397.60)of about 56% of the total Capital Expenditure of (N918,427,850.65).This clearly shows our quest to develop our rural areas by providing good and quality road network.Admin Sector got Two Hundred and Eighty Million Naira (N280,000,000.00) of 30.48% of total Capital Expenditure while Social Sector got One Hundred and Twenty Million,Four Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand,Four Hundred and Fifty Three Naira No Kobo(N120,486,453)13.12% of total Capital Expenditure".
He appreciated the legislative arm of the council for the already established synergy, stressing the need expedite action on the passage of the bill for the overall good of the people.
"The Leader, Honorable Councilors,I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to present to you the budget outlay for 2023 showing the Revenue and Expenditure that we intend to use to further the development of Afikpo North Local Government Area.It is hoped that with your ususal cooperation and support,all the desired projects can be carried out or embarked upon in 2023 will be achievable.
Ibiam expressed optimism that the budget when passed, will further reposition the council for greater Development.
"Let me state here Mr.Leader,Honorable Councilors that an Appropriation Bill even when passed into Law has an imputed potency that the actual expenditure will always depend on the actual income, let it be known that this presentation implies such.I urge all hand to be on deck to raise the Revenue of the Council to enable us achieve our desired objectives.
Thank you for your support and kind attention".
Speaking after receiving the budget estimate, the leader of Afikpo North legislative council, Mr Egwu Abagha appreciated the council chairman for the good job he did on the budget, assuring him of the readiness of his colleagues in passing the budget on a good time.
On his part, the coordinator of Amasiri Development Center, Hon.
Anya Baron Ogbonnaya, said the budget estimate presentated by the chairman touched all critical areas of the council and expressed optimism that the councilors will expedite action on the passage of the budget for the effective running of the council by the chairman.
"The budget estimate presented by the executive chairmen of Afikpo North Local Government,is a budget that is so encompassing in the sense that most of the salient issues, social and economic issues that concerns the local Government were sufficiently addressed by the budget estimate and we are optimistic that the councilors will do the needful by passing the budget expeditiously, to enable the local Government Chairman run the local Government efficiently and effectively.
"To me, this one is a novel. That's the way I look at it. It is novel because, since the history of this Local Government this is the first time a whole lot of persons has the opportunity to witness the budget presentation by a sitting local government chairman. It has not happened for a very long time".
The coordinator applauded the Chairman's inclusive leadership style demonstrated so far.
"The local Government Chairman, judging from the way he has started, shown that he has come to do a lot for the people of Afikpo North. He has come to show that he has the capacity and willingness to carry Afikpo North to the next level by making sure that things are done orderly and in line with the provision of the law".
He revealed that the coordinators are ever willing to work with the chairmen for effective running of his administration.
"The coordinators are supper willing and ever prepared to give the local Government Chairman the required support, knowing full well that the chairman is somebody who has shown that he has the willingness to carry the coordinators along in the effective running of the local Government".
"Government or governance to the best of my knowledge is not a one man show. It is a business that you must involve different categories of human being especially, those who are also occupying critical positions in the local Government governance. You must always work with them in harmony to enable you achieve the desired results".
The Council Chairman, Hon. Uche Ibiam was accompanied to the budget presentation by his Vice,Hon(Mrs) Josephine Chinwe Nwogo; Hon. Baron Ogbonnia Enya (Amasiri DC Coordinator); Hon Ibiam Inya Agha (Afikpo North DC Coordinator); Hon. Innocent Inya Eluu (Afikpo North East DC Coordinator); Surveyor Theodore Ihite Chikwendu(Amoha DC Coordinator)
Others were the Principal Officers of the Council including the HPM,Mrs. Lynda Ibe; Council Treasurer,Mr. Innocent Ezeali Oka; Internal Auditor, Deacon Henry Ndukwe Oko; Cashier, Lady Patricia Oko; Revenue Officer,Mrs. Olejuru Okoro among others.
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