A budget of N490.32billion has been proposed by the Rivers State Government for 2013.

Speaking at the budget presentation at the Rivers State House of Assembly, Port Harcourt, Monday, Governor Chibuike Amaechi said that the proposed budget was to consolidate the achievements of his administration in various sectors of the economy and set the state on an economic rebirth.

From the figures, the 2013 budget is N52.32 billion higher than the 2012 budget of N438billion.

The budget according to the governor is to be largely financed through Federal Statutory Allocations estimated to the tune of N245billion, Internal Generated Revenue (IGR), deductions from social levy to the sum of N80billion, last year balance of N48.32billion and proceeds of N100billion bond and credit of 17billion.

Though the governor frowned at the swelling recurrent expenditure of 176.02billion, capital expenditure still gulped the largest part of the budget with N314billion, slightly less than that of 2012 of N323.70billion.

Amaechi explained reasons for the swelling recurrent expenditure, “We had made provisions under the recurrent expenditure window for new recruitments including the hiring of additional 13,000 teachers to strengthen our education sub -sector.”

A further breakdown of the budget shows the economic sector having the largest chunk of 93billion, followed by the social sector with N64.50 billion. The educational sector trailed with 47.81billion, environment N37.60 billion, health got N10.23billion.

Sub-sectoral allocations put Energy and Natural Resources at the lowest with N160million, Commerce and Industry N400million, Women Affairs with N600million, while Social Welfare and Rehabilitation had N500million.

Water sector got N25.5billion which according to Amaechi is aimed at providing the needed infrastructure for sustainable delivery of water in Port Harcourt metropolis. Agriculture also got improved allocation of N4.03 billion, Culture and Tourism got N1.12billion and Housing N3billion.

The Rivers State Chief Executive assured that this administration would pursue good governance building and re-engineering the civil service through ICT compliance adding, “our agenda on openness, accountability and transparency will continue to be executed in 2013”.

Later, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Otelemaba Amachree commended the state government for the vision of moving the state forward, especially by putting emphasis on capital project.

Rt Hon Amachree observed, “we are indeed delighted to be partners in this success story”.

He assured the governor that the budget would be given a speedy in-depth consideration, noting that by next year its oversight functions would be beefed up.

Meanwhile, Governor Chibuike Amaechi has signed into law three bills namely, the State Education Quality Assurance, the Transportation and Disability law bills.

The Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd told newsmen after the signing of three bills into law on Monday that the laws are geared at fast-tracking the development of the state.

He explained that the Quality Assurance law will help set standards for intending proprietors of schools in the state, “we can no longer have a situation where those who are not professionals just wake up and establish schools. With the new law, it is an offence for anyone to set up a school without following due process”, he stressed.

On the amended Transportation Law, the Assembly Leader stated that the new law will regulate activities of TIMARIV officials and curtail members of the public from assaulting the traffic officials.

The new law which is an amendment to an already subsisting transport law according to Hon. Lloyd has become pertinent due to numerous harassments faced by both the public and TIMARIV traffic marshals.

“We have made the culpability to be either way,” Lloyd said, “If we find out that a TIMARIV official assaults any member of the public unjustly, the person will go to jail for three months provided that it is proven that the official was reckless in the discharge of his duties”.

For the Handicap Law, the Assembly leader said the law was passed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, noting that a society that does not care for those with special needs is handicapped.

The law provides for the provision of facilities in public places for persons with disabilities, especially in car parks and other public places.

Earlier, Governor Amaechi commended the Assembly for passing the laws stating both arms of government are partners in the state development, and assured that his administration will continue to be transparent in its dealings.