Wike Signs 2022 Budget Of N483.1bn Into Law …As Gov’s Dev Strides Excite RSHA

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has assured that his administration would mobilise resources towards achieving 80percent implementation of the 2022 budget.
The governor gave the assurance shortly after signing into law the Rivers State Appropriation Law No. 11, 2021 at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
“By the grace of God, we’ll hit the ground running from January 1. And so, we think that what you have done is to give support to the Executive Council to render good services to the people of the state.”
Wike hinted that as a political year, 2022 would also be turbulent politically and would require so much attention in that regard.
He noted that the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment Bill would have ripple effect on the polity, particularly if the National Assembly decides to override his veto.
“So, next year will be politically turbulent, and it will affect performance of every budget. But I pray to God that it shouldn’t be much, so that we will be able to execute the necessary plans and good projects we have for our people.”
Despite all these, Wike said his administration would remain focused in providing services to the state and its people.
According to the governor, everything would be put in place to ensure the state has the enabling resources to execute and implement what is provided for in the budget.
“I must sincerely thank and assure you that we will do all we can to make sure we achieve not less than 80percent of the implementation of the budget, believing that God willing, we will get the necessary resources.”
Wike thanked the state lawmakers for quick passage of the Appropriation Bill and continual support in the provision of sustained good governance in the state.
In his remarks, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani acknowledged the robust collaboration that has existed between the Executive and the Legislature.
He described the efforts of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in providing good governance and delivery of quality projects for the overall benefits of Rivers people, as exceptional.
The speaker, said the Rivers State House of Assembly was pleased with the developmental strides of the governor, and faulted critics of Governor Wike for their deficiencies in hindsight over practical leadership ideals.
Ibani pointed out that those who criticised Wike for the numerous flyover projects did not understand the real value of the projects in modern urbanisation, free flow of traffic, and ease of doing bussines in the state.
The speaker said the Rivers State House of Assembly will continue to give its support to the Rivers State governor to succeed in his numerous development projects.
Ibani said most critics of the projects of the Wike administration, particularly the flyovers, lack hindsight about the overall derivable benefits.
According to him, there is reduced travel time occasioned by the flyovers on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, which is real value added to quantum of time used in doing business.
The speaker noted that Wike has brought dynamism to governance in applying practical ideas and solutions to problems besetting the society.
Presenting the Rivers State Appropriation Law No. 11, 2021 to the governor for his assent, Leader of the House, Hon. Martins Amaewhule said lawmakers sat, and studied the various estimates before passing same.
According to him, given how the previous budgets have been implemented, they were sure that the current appropriation law would be implemented to consolidate the successes already achieved.

By: Taneh Beemene