Ex-Lawmaker Applauds Early Passage Of 2013 Budget

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Austin Opara, has applauded the National Assembly for passing the 2013 budget in record time.

Hon Opara who made the commendation in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt described as first of its kind for a federal budget to be passed before the end of the out-going year.

The former lawmaker stressed the need for the Federal Government to implement the 2013 budget for the betterment of the citizenry, pointing out that any programme that would not better the lives of Nigerians was not welcomed.

He urged the National Assembly to churn out more bills this year capable of changing the lives of Nigerians, saying Nigerians deserve to reap the dividends of democracy through the provision of meaningful projects such as good roads, electricity, water and comfortable housing, among others.

Hon Opara underscored the importance of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which has suffered several setbacks in the legislature and urged for its passage within the first quarter of this year.

“The PIB is critical, it’s important, we should encourage members of the National Assembly to pass it,” he stressed.

Congratulating Rivers people and Nigerians for seeing the new year, the ex-lawmaker enjoined all and sundry to preach and maintain peace because as he put it, “we cannot make progress without peace and love.”

Citing the biblical adage “Love your neighbor as yourself”, he said “if you love your neighbour as yourself, you will not harm him or plan evil against him.”

Shedie Okpara