RVHA Okays Rivers N485.524bn For 2014

The Rivers State Government has proposed to spend about N485.524 billion for this year. The amount covers a recurrent expenditure of N117.09billion and capital expenditure of N368.43 billion.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi made the budget presentation in the old Government House auditorium following the continuous closure of the Assembly complex by the Rivers State Police Command.

According to the governor, this year’s budget is N4.797billion less than last year’s of N490billion. Amaechi said the budget is aimed at consolidating and completing of ongoing projects, adding that about 64.22 per cent of last year’s budget was achieved.

He said, “the pre-occupation of the 2014 budget would therefore be to vigorously pursue the earnest completion of all ongoing projects and open minimal windows for exigent and necessary ones which span must not exceed the tenure of this administration’’.

The proposed budget is expected to be funded from Federal allocation of N241.243billion, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N92.420billion, a proposed loan of N100billion,   World Bank credit worth N6.983billion , an EU grant of 0.660billion Euros and sale of assets to the tune of N33billion.

Even with the revenue performance of N82.5 billion from IGR and FAAC between January and September last year, the Rivers State Chief Executive disclosed that the state realized N206.991 (84.43 per cent) of the year’s Federation Account budget.

A breakdown of the budget shows Ministry of Works topping with N60billion, closely followed by Ministry of Education with N30billion and Transport N10billion.

Sports trailed withN8.995billion as against N3.04billion for last year. It was closely followed by Ministry of Power with N7billion. Health got N4billion as against N10billion for last year’s.

Ministries with lower allocations include Local Government Affairs N100million, Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs got N120million, Youth Development got N200million, Women Affairs has N450 million, Social Welfare has N600million and Information with N1.6billion. Environment and Housing had N1.3billion and N1.5billion respectively.

In the parastatals category, Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority (GPDA) had the largest chunk of allocation with N20billion, it was closely followed by Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) with N10billion. Parks and Gardens had the least with N80million.

The Rivers State governor assured that the economic and social sector shall continue to be major focus of his administration, “ All outstanding projects here will be completed’’.

He, therefore, commended the House for their steadfastness and support, especially at this time period the state was facing political challenges.

Receiving the budget, House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree promised quick passage since the administration had less than one year to focus on development.

“Please, do not embark on new projects, but try and complete the ones you have started,’’ he told the governor.

Meanwhile, the House has quickly passed the budget as a matter of expediency.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Barrister Leyii Kwane told reporters that the House considered the need to pass the budget speedily as it did not want any infringement to ongoing development in the state.

His words, “Whoever feels disenchanted or not pleased with what we have done, we expect diverse opinions in democracy like ours. There must be diversity of opinion but majority must always have their way. The court of law is there they also seek legal options.’’

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (middle), flanked (right) by the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan-Amaechree in group photograph with members of Rivers State House of Assembly, and other top government officials.