Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has task Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to ensure proper preparation and early submission of their budget for early passage into law by the state House of Assembly before the commencement of the next year.
Dr Ikpeazu who stated this while flagging off the 2019 Budget Defence Session of the MDAs, tagged “Budget of Consolidation” at the conference Room of the Abia State Planning Commission, Umuahia, stressed the need for the participants in the exercise to ensure that a realistic budget that reflects government policies and aspirations as every government programmes and policy revolves round Budget planning.
The governor represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu maintained that the early passage of the budget by the State House of Assembly would enable government to start early in addressing issues raised by various MDAs in addition to enhanced the state ranking by international and Donor Agencies.
He Commended the 2019 Budget Defence Committee under the chairmanship of Ugoeze Adanma Iheuwa for their dedication to duty and hard work and assured that government would always provide every assistance to enable them execute their jobs more efficiently.
In her address, the Chairman of the state Budget committee and Permanent Secretary/ Executive Secretary of the Commission, Ugoeze Adanma Iheuwa said the 2019 Budget Defence session tagged ( Budget of Consolidation) was prepared in accordance with global best, envisaging government policy direction, improve internal generated revenue ( IGR) as well as allow completion of on going projects started by governor Okezie Ikpeazu administration who attaches great importance to planning for economic,social and over all development of the state.
She said that the Budget outlay and the MDAs ceiling/ envelopes were obtained after careful analysis of fiscal updates and actual performance trends and risk elements for six(6) years.
The Executive Secretary advised MDAs to ensure that their proposal do not exceed their given ceding as the Budget committee would remain focused in their deliberations and consideration by ensuring that government realised its developmental objective through prioritized Budget provisions.
Ugoeze Iheuwa thanked the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for his encouragement and solicit approval to link the state planning commission with the integrated software server at the office of the state Accountant General.
In his vote of thanks, the state Auditor General, Elder O.U. Ngwobia assured that they will do their best to come up with a realistic Budget consolidation that would enable the governor continue his developmental plans across the state.
