Okorocha Budgets N137 Billion for Imo In 2014

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, December 20th, 2013

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state on Friday evening presented a budget proposal One hundred and thirty seven billion, twenty six million, Five hundred and twenty eight thousand, and Four hundred and thirty Four naira (N137,026,528.434) for the 2014 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly for consideration.

Governor Okorocha of Imo state presenting the budget to the state assembly

Presenting the Budget, tagged “Budget of consolidating Rescue mission,” the governor disclosed that N75,271,768,434 is for Capital projects, while N61,383,872,587 would takes care of Recurrent Expenditure

He stated that the capital expenditure, which will take care of agriculture, commerce and industry, works and housing, transport and tourism, public utilities, lands and road development has a total allocation of N45,989,614,100.

The administration he said, also proposed to spend the sum of N671,614,100 on town and country planning survey as well as community development.

Okorocha hinted that government would continue the restoration of Owerri master plan, pay compensation to land owners whose lands were acquired long ago, and those acquired recently.

While the sum of N3 billion was proposed for culture and tourism, the social services sector which include: Education, Health, Information, Women Affairs and Youth and Sports developments has a budget projection of N14.16billion, just as general administration has budgetary provision of N15.48billion

In the 24- page budget speech, Okorocha, announced that his administration would in the year 2014, establish a state wide Information Communication Technology (ICT) faculty network linking the state capital Owerri with all the 27 council areas in the state.

This, according to him, would commence in the first quarter of next year with Owerri taking the lead.

The governor who also disclosed plans by the administration to establish multi-level car parks at

different locations in the state capital with a view to decongesting the city, had assured that the state government would consolidate on the existing programs and projects geared towards the beatification of the state capital and the new cities in the 2014 fiscal year.

However, Okorocha, had earlier reviewed the performance of the 2013 budget and the achievements recorded, saying that as part of the drive to sustain the improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the state government shall construct the new sub treasuries and revenue offices where non exist and rehabilitation of some existing one in the state.

He also disclosed that the state government would invigorate the process of appointing judges for the high Courts and the Customary Courts of Appeal and would also appoint Customary Court members to fill

the vacant positions.

Receiving the document from the Governor, Speaker of Imo state House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogu, had assured the governor of its speedy passage after all necessary scrutiny.