Rivers Assembly Passes Budget

Last week in The Assembly witnessed the final passage of the 2020 budget by the legislators.
Last Saturday the governor also presented brand new SUV cars to members as part the executive support to the legislature.
The Governor handed over the keys to the lawmakers at a brief ceremony as the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani thanked the state chief executive for ensuring that the legislature had a sense of belonging in the government.
The lawmakers were elated over the vehicles saying it will boost efficiency and mobility in their duties.
Recall that the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had two weeks ago presented a budget of over five hundred and thirty billion naira(N530billion) to the Assembly for the 2020 Fiscal Year.
The governor  told the Assembly that the focus of the budget was to enhance his infrastructural drive and speed up the state’s growth process.
Wike while explaining the budget breakdown and sectoral allocations, said capital expenditure would take three hundred and seventy four billion naira (374bn) whereas one hundred and fifty six billion naira (156bn) would be for recurrent expenditure.
According to the governor, the State’s budget for 2020 tagged ‘Budget of Reassurance’ was fifty billion naira higher than the 2019 budget and was expected to generate more growth in the economy of the state.
In response, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon.Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani commended Wike for ensuring that the budget estimate would focus more on the real sectors of the economy and promised more cordial relationship of the Assembly with the executive arm.
Immediately after, the state Assembly committed the budget to First Reading and adjourned plenary to the next legislative day.
Also within the week, the Assembly Adhoc Committee on Violence Against Persons bill (VAP)2019 held a public hearing.
Stakeholders, made up of women groups and other non- governmental organizations, attended the hearing held at the Assembly complex.
Chairman of the Adhoc Committee, Hon. Enemi George Alabo said the forum was organised to get public input and ensure the bill meets public expectation.
In the same vein one of the initiators of the bill and Leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule said the bill is an offshoot of an earlier one passed by the National Assembly but with a variation to reflect the realities in the state.