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| Usoro Akpanusoh |
The Chairman
of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly committee on Finance and
Appropriation, Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh has explained the rationale behind the 2016
public hearing of the 2016 Akwa Ibom State budget christened the budget of
sustainable Development. The
lawmaker explained that this is to involve the organized sectors and members of
the public in the deliberation process and also to highlight to the state how
monies are going to be appropriated. He said, it is the determination of the
committee to make sure that no section of the state is left in the dark as to
the budget appropriation since it is tax payers monies that are being
appropriated.
Akpanusoh
who is the member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State constituency hinted that
the committee will do everything within their powers to ensure that no section
of the society and the state is left behind in the appropriation processes. He
explained to newsmen that the failure of Government in some quarters could be
attributed to non adherence to the policy thrust of a budget and maintained
that since the 6th Assembly is of the people, for the people and by
the people that the committee under his watch will ensure that the right thing
is done especially when viewed from the fact that the Assembly intends to
ensure that the budget s followed up to the later.
The
former Esit Eket council vice Chairman also informed that the policy thrust of
the public briefing on the 2016 budget proposals of the state is to give
details of the budgets to citizens. He stated that the committee was also doing
what it did in compliance with the Fiscal responsibility and Civic Rights and
also in obedience to Section 14 (2a-c) of the 1999 constitution as amended which
provides for the participation of people in governance. He said such exercise
as executed by the committee would guarantee good governance in the state.
Speaking
at the event the Assembly speaker Barr Onofiok Luke who declared the hearing
opened appreciated the committee chairman and his members for ensuring that the
initiative he opened about four years ago is sustained. He called on the people
to ensure that they make very meaningful contributions towards the budget
public hearing as according to him that will encourage the success of the 2016
budget.
The Hon
Speaker informed members of the public that the 6th Assembly is the
People’s Assembly and will do all within its powers not to let the people down.
Mr.
Akan Okon the Akwa Ibom State commissioner for Finance stated that the budget
is in line with global best practices. After taking time to explain in details
the composition of the budget he maintained that the state Government will not
fail the citizenry and appreciated also the committee for organizing the public
hearing. While he insisted that the budget will ensure sustainable Development
of the state he added that he is always ready to ensure that the words of the
budget are followed to the best of standards.
The
Economic Development Commissioner Emmanuel Onwodiukit relied on the argument of
the Finance commissioner and added that the budget was prepared bearing in mind
the falling oil price in the global market but with a target by the state
Government to diversify the economy of the state. He appreciated the committee
for inviting him to the public hearing and maintained that the state Executive
council will not falter in its total implementation.
Others
who spoke at the event which attracted maximum attendance were the Chairman of
NLC in the state Comrade Etim Ukpong, the Chairman of the NBA in the state Barr
Aniekan Akpan amongst others who also presented their memoranda to members of
the committee for onward delivery to the Assembly through the memoranda
committee.
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