APC Lauds Rivers ‘Budget Of Realism’

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Uncategorized Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

Kayode Adelowokan, Lagos

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has commended Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for coming up with a realistic budget for the 2014 fiscal year and its successful presentation before the State House of Assembly on December 7, 2013 in Port Harcourt.

Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State

Interim Chairman of the party in Rivers State, Chief (Dr.) Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, made the commendation in a statement made available to African Examiner where he described the budget estimate of N485.5 billion as one of realism and a good example to the Federal Government and other State Governors since there is no need deceiving the public by making unrealistic promises.

According to Ikanya, “The 2014 budget is 0.98 per cent lower than the 2013 budget of N490.32 billion, which shows a lot of wisdom in view of the reality of steadily declining revenue to the State due to the wicked ceding of some of the oil wells of Rivers State to neighbouring States of Baylesa, Abia and Akwa-ibom by the Public Deciving PDP led Federal Government and mismanagement of the oil sector by the Federal Government and the massive corruption that has drastically cut what is available to be shared by the federating states.”

The State APC Interim Chairman also commended the decision by the Amaechi administration to focus on completing of ongoing projects rather than embarking on new projects that may never be completed due to unavailability of resources.

He at the same time praised the administration’s decision to give priority attention to Health, Education, Roads, Transport, Power, Water, Agriculture and other critical infrastructure, noting that these are areas of critical importance to the people of the state.

He extended the party’s appreciation to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan-Amachree, and other members of the House for their decision to temporarily relocate the sitting of the Assembly to the old Auditorium of Government House in view of the barricading of the Assembly Complex by the Police acting on orders from Abuja.

“This is another demonstration of the doctrine of necessity for which the lawmakers should be commended. While we look forward to the reopening of the Assembly Complex presently under siege, it would be wrong to bring governance to a halt because, in the final analysis, it is the masses who will suffer for it and not Governor Amaechi as an individual,” Ikanya stated.

He commended the lawmakers for speedily debating and passing the budget into law as this will enable the wheel of government run without undue encumbrances.

Dr Ikanya, however condemned unambiguously the criticism by the Felix Obuah led PDP in Rivers State over the Budget presentation and the threat to frustrate the implementation of the budget. Dr. Ikanya, described Mr. Felix Obuah and his confused cohorts as bunch of ignoramuses who exposes their total ignorance of lawmaking shamelessly. With the stand of Rivers State PDP on the budget presentation it once again exposes their hatred for the development of Rivers State knowing very well that without budget the Government can’t finance most of its projects or pay salaries.

The fact remains that PDP need not tell us that they main mission in Rivers State is to run down the State as we are already in the know and this informed why Rivers State and her people decided to reject them and will surely demonstrate this by 2015 polls.

What these ignoramuses and undemocratic fellows in PDP do not understand is that first it is the speaker that designates where the house sits as far as the mace which is the symbol of authority is present. Otelemaba Amachree as the Head of Legislature in Rivers State designated the venue of sitting in line with his powers. In other words, based on the fact the Rivers State House of Assembly is under siege coupled with the fact it is still under renovation, the House did the proper thing besides the House has powers under the rules and with necessary quorum and number to designate any place as it’s chambers as in this case.

These funny PDP fellows failed to understand that they (PDP) went to court and got judgement invalidating the takeover of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the National Assembly after complaining bitterly that the House was not seating. Now the House is seating and sadly these confused minds are again complaining!

Dr ikanya further stated that “We are surprised that, that same PDP is now complaining that Budget that will benefit our people is passed”.

In conclusion and for the avoidance of doubt, the House acted within the confines and contours of our law and the powers vested on them. They should in fact be praised and commended by all well meaning Rivers people. In the same vein, the Governor deserves our praise for refusing to use the powers that he has to run the state on the previous budget till March this year by timely presenting the Budget to the house. Those that are dissatisfied have the option of going to court to seek redress.

This is another contribution from Rivers State for the enhancement of our nascent democracy, Dr Ikanya concluded.