RSG Proposes N427bn For 2012

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday, presented the 2012 budget proposal of N427billion to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

Tagged “Budget For Resource Utilization” the proposal according to the Governor is aimed at raising welfare provision and rapidly catapult the state into an economic giant driven by agriculture.

He stated that the budget is N11.9 billion higher than last years, which was N415.1billion.

The budget is hugely capital based with capital expenditure gulping N314.27 as against N268.76 expended in 2011. “The capital projection for 2012 amounts to 73.13 percent of the total budget”

Recurrent expenditure got only N112.73billion, about N33.61billion less from last years N146.34billion.

The aim of the cut in recurrent expenditure Amaechi explained is to infuse prudence and to provide enough funds for capital expenditure, “this does not in anyway undermine our positive welfare disposition to our work force, as we believe that a well-motivated work force will deliver value for money”, he assured.

He stated that the state remains one of those in the country that has implemented the new minimum wage with a premium of N900 as above statutory specifications.

Nevertheless, a further breakdown of the budget indicate that the social sector got the largest chunk of the budget with N105.65billion, followed by the economic sector with N99.14billion. Establishment, Planning, Finance and Administration got N81billion, while Environment and Urban Management got N23.81billion trailed by allocation for the State House of Assembly which got N3.01billion. The Judiciary got the least allocation of N314.26 million.

Governor Amaechi stated that the education sub-sector is allotted N71.5billion followed by Works with N60billion. Health sub-sector got N21.49 billion, while Power got N25billion.

Also Environment sub-sector is allotted N27.9billion and Water N10.9billion followed by Housing with N6.3 billion.

Agriculture sub-sector got N3.03 billion Amaechi explained, “we are providing N3.03billion for agriculture because it is the foundation for sustainable economic growth. The State is endowed with agricultural produce” adding that the Accelerated Development of Oil Palm Initiative (ADOPI) will be pursued vigorously next year.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Otelemaba Amachree has hailed the developmental efforts of the Amaechi-led administration, pointing out that with improved security some companies are returning to the state.

The Speaker observed that the state Government has equally made tremendous mark in power generation and infrastructure, but charged the government to focuse on all uncompleted projects.

He assured the Government that the 2012 budget will be studied and given approval so as not to slow the pace of development.

The Leader of the House, Chidi Lloyd also gave kudos to the administration especially in its land reforms through the Rivers Geographical Information System (RIVGIS).

Hon Lloyd however frowned at the Due Process Office which he said is slowing governance through the approval process. He therefore advocated that the bill on due process be reviewed to fast-track governance.

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (right) conferring with the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, during the governor’s presentation of 2012 Budget proposal at Assembly Chambers, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.