Amaechi Signs 2010 Budget Child’s Rights Bill Also

Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Tuesday, signed the state’s 2010 Appropriation Bill into law, but not before keeping his promise to the children’s parliament to okay the Child Rights enactment first.

For that reason, Governor Amaechi first signed the Child Rights Bill into Law before the 2010 budget, earlier passed by the state House of Assembly.

That was so because the governor had assured the leadership of the Obio/Akpor Children’s Parliament during the interactive session at the Town Hall meeting at Rumuodomaya Tuesday that he would not sign the state Appropriation Bill 2010 into law unless he had assented to the Child Rights Law 2009.

Governor Amaechi also at a brief ceremony at Government House, Wednesday, endorsed the Rivers  State Appropriation Law 2010 and state Customary Court (amendment) 2009.

Speaking at the occasion, the state Governor said he was excited at the quality of debate at the Assembly in the course of passing the Appropriation Bill, noting that the debate showed the independent nature of the state legislature.

“We hope that the Assembly would continue to hold such vibrant debates to put government on its toes and strengthen democracy”, he stated, emphasizing that the 2010 budget was that of consolidation, and appealed to the lawmakers to carry out their oversight functions to enable government achieve set objectives.

He assured that the State Executive Council would do its best to implement the 2010 budget, particularly in the areas of focus like education, health and road construction as the projects embarked upon by the present administration cut across all the 23 local government areas of the state.      

“We challenge any constituency to come forward and prove that government’s presence was not found in their area, we are reclaiming a completely new town in Opobo while Elekahia road dualisation project is on-going,” Amaechi said.

The State Chief Executive assured the lawmakers that the State Executive Council was taking its assignment seriously and recognised the inputs of the legislative arm towards the success of the present administration.

The Governor said his administration was prepared to remain responsible in the management of funds and expressed his determination to reform the system and make the state the envy of others.

According to him, “in spite of the enormous challenges, we are prepared to carry out reforms, such that before we leave office, the reform agenda would remain the main thrust of the state government”, and enjoined the State Assembly to support the state government’s desire to change the system.

It would be recalled that Governor Amaechi presented the 2010 Appropriation Bill of N429 billion to the State Assembly in December 2009.