By Onyekachi Eze
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has presented the 2021 estimated budget to the State House of Assembly.
That was held yesterday, at the floor of the House, situated along the Ikemba Ojukwu Center, Owerri.
It was done two weeks to the expiration of year, 2020.
According to the Governor, the budget was tagged, “Budget of Wealth Creation”, with a total of Three Hundred and Forty-Six Billion, One Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Eighty Five Naira, (#346,169,972,085bn).
The recurrent revenue is #136,080,551,348bn, while the sum of #14,120,082,285bn is budgeted as Personnel Cost which represents 16% of the total Recurrent Expenditure Budget.
Uzodinma highlighted that the proposed budget when harnessed effectively wouldn’t give room for fresh borrowing or supplementary budget.
The Governor disclosed that within 1st January, 2020, to 30th September, 2020, the State under his watch has recorded the total sum of #11,586,636,095.80bn as Internally Generated Revenue.
He promised to begin full implementation of workers minimum wage from January 2021, even as he pleaded on the conscience of Civil Servants to shun double salary earning.
Governor Uzodinma didn’t end the presentation without reeling out his administration’s achievements.
However, he said that there was no motorable road in Owerri when we took over, necessitating the massive rural and urban roads construction.
“Everyone will bear witness to the fact that there was no single motorable road on ground when we took office. Today, the narrative is changing rapidly as the massive road construction in the State capital will readily attest”.
Also, the official presentation was seen to be House of Assembly bill No 175, deemed to be read for the first time, and slated for 2nd reading today, 17 December, 2020.
Meanwhile, when allowed to contribute, the Members didn’t stop on showering encomiums on the Governor.
Hons; Uju Onwudiwe, Kennedy Ibeh, Emeka Nduka, Eddy Obinna, Obinna Okwara, Ekene Nnodumele, Uche Ogbuagu, Arthur Egwim, Johnson Duru, and Chiji Collins, described the budget as a realizable one.
The Deputy Speaker IMHA, Rt. Hon. Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu said the Governor has shown confidence so far, stressing that his landmark achievements and boosting of IGR speaks volume.
Iwuanyanwu opined that they have been partners in progress, but from 2021, they would be partners in wealth creation.
In a related development, the former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah was significant at the Assembly complex, yesterday during the budget presentation.
While other Ex Speakers, Deputy Speakers and Ex Lawmakers were only recognized inside the chamber by the Speaker, Paul Emeziem, Opiah’s case was different.
Assembly workers on sighting the Ohaji/Egbema former Speaker besieged him in a cheerful mood.
Irrespective of their tight schedules, the Staffers gladly jumped on Opiah, chanting solidarity songs for him.
Their songs attracted all and sundry at the premises, who wondered the kind of love the workers have for Opiah.
It would be recalled that the kind of smiles on their faces yesterday was lastly seen during Opiah’s visit at the Assembly permanent site.
The youths among them almost lifted him up triumphantly as a hero who they believed led the House exceptionally by taking care of their welfare judiciously.
Some of the leaders described Opiah as a man loved by many, stressing that it would take such a selfless leader like him to be given such a rousing welcome.
