. . . Obiano seeks lawmakers’ approval of N141.9b for last budget

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Government has dismissed speculations that an impeachment proceedings will be initiated against the deputy governor, Dr Nkem Okeke.

Okeke on Wednesday dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA under which he is serving as the deputy governor and joined the band wagon of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Making this known in Awka, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C-Don Adinuba said that though Okeke’s defection was morally wrongly, the state governor, Willie Obiano, was not taking that seriously because “Okeke has no electoral worth”.

He said: “The governor is not a vengeful person. Though what Okeke did was morally and legally wrong, the governor is not thinking about him.”

Speaking on the outcome of a Supreme Court judgement between Umeoji and Oye, Adinuba said the appellate court has, once again, demonstrated that the Nigerian judiciary is a temple of justice.

Adinuba in a statement made available to journalists partly reads: “The people and Government of Anambra State have received with joy, like the rest of Nigeria, the Supreme Court judgment this upholding the decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Kano that Chief Victor Oye is the authentic National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

“The Supreme Court has, once again, demonstrated that the Nigerian judiciary is a temple of justice. It does not just give judgments but also dispenses justice. It does not just comply with the letter of the law but also acts in accordance with the spirit of the law. It provides hope for not just the common man but also all citizens, regardless of class, gender, ethnicity or faith.

“There is massive rejoicing throughout Anambra State and, indeed, all over Nigeria at the Supreme Court judgment. The people feel justice has been done. The Supreme Court justices have met the expectations and wishes of the people. In other words, public confidence in the judiciary has been restored, despite the activities of a few members of the Bench.

“The Supreme Court should not stop at providing the right judgments on cases but punish members of both the bar who bring to courts matters meant to ridicule the judiciary and of the Bench who entertain such suits and pass judgments on them.

“Nigerian democracy is on the march. And the judiciary is on the right path. God bless Nigeria.

“The state has expressed gratitude to the Nigerian judiciary for its avowed demonstration to keep the country’s democracy alive.

Meanwhile, Governor Obiano has presented a budget of N141.9 billion for 2022 to the State House of Assembly for approval.

He explained that the budget was made up of N81 billion capital expenditure, translating to 57 percent and N60.9 billion recurrent expenditure, translating to 43 per cent, adding that the budget was premised on the crude oil price benchmark of 50 dollars per barrel.

According to the governor, the budget which was tagged, “Continuity, Sustainability and Development of a New Anambra”, is geared towards sustaining his achievements in the last seven years and ensure that the state maintained its status as a business hub and investment destination

Obiano said that the expected revenue from Value Added Tax was N19.8 billion, while other capital receipts would be N23.38 billion.

While saying that N40.36 billion was expected to be generated through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Obiano said that N21.67billion would be spent as salaries and wages, while N18.3 billion would be spent on group life insurance, loan, pensions and gratuities of retirees, and N23.78 billion would be spent on overheads.

The breakdown showed that road, works and infrastructure has the highest allocation of N23 billion, followed by healthcare with N5.8 billion.

Environment and education sectors were allocated N3.42 billion and N3.23 billion respectively, while agriculture and youth empowerment and the creative economy got N3 billion and N2.08 billion respectively.

Water resources and public utilities got N2.1 billion while community social development projects got N1.4 billion and medium enterprises development N1billion.

Other allocations included N10 billion for the completion of the Anambra International Cargo Airport, N2.8 billion for the completion of the International Convention Centre, Awka and 700 million for the completion of Awka City stadium.

He added: “N13.4 billion was allocation for domestic debt financing, comprising of single-digit concessionary programme lending for interventions in healthcare, social investments, agriculture, manufacturing and youth entrepreneurship.

“The 2022 budget will be the last annual budget of this administration. The budget seeks to consolidate and sustain the development aspirations of Anambra.

“It is our hope, that it will be given speedy consideration and passage to ensure a steady advancement of our dear state.”

Receiving the budget, the Speaker, Mr Uche Okafor, said: “As this is the final lap in the budgetary cycle of this administration, I assure Your Excellency that the House will give this budget expeditious consideration and will pass it as soon as possible.”

He expressed readiness to continue to partner with the executive for peoples oriented projects in the state.

Obiano had in 2016 presented a budget of N101.4 billion, N115.5 billion in 2017, N166.9billion in 2018, N157.1billion in 2019 and N137.1 billion in 2020, although it was later revised to N114.9 billion due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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