GOVERNMENT HOUSE, OWERRI
PRESS RELEASE
The Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has presented to the State Assembly the 2014 Budget of the state tagged “Budget of Consolidating Rescue”
The budget which he described as realistic and balanced amounts to N137,026,528,434 [one hundred and thirty seven, twenty-six billion, five hundred and twenty eighty thousand, four hundred and thirty four Naira] only as against N194,142,120,869 of 2013.
The 2014 budget is broken down as follows:
Revenue 2014 Percentage
Recurrent N106,271,768,434 77.6%
Revenue 93,599,325,368 [2013]
Capital
Receipts N30,754,760,000 22.4%
N100,542,795,501 [2013]
Total N137,026,528,434 100%
EXPENDITURE
Recurrent Expenditure N61,383,872,587 44.8%
N59,491,899,080[2013]
Capital Expenditure N75,642,655,847 55.20%
N134,650,221,789[2013]
Total N137,026,528,434 100%
Owelle Okorocha explained that the major highlights of the 2014 Capital Expenditure includes the Economic Sector with total collection of N45,989,614,100.
The breakdown of the budget gave Commerce and Industry N746,500,000 while Works, Transport and Urban Development has N32.1 billion, while Town and Country Planning, Survey and community development gets N671,614,100 as Culture and Tourism receives N3 billion.
Other subsectors like social services receives N14.16 billion – Education N3.551 billion for primary/secondary and N5 billion for Tertiary/technology respectively, while Health subsector receives N1.585 billion. Women Affairs gets N2.9 billion just as Youth and Sports has N1.2 billion while General Services receives N15.48 billion for its services.
The governor who earlier reviewed the 2013 budget said his administration had followed all activities in line with the National Reform Agenda and within the tenets of the Imo State four year Rescue Plan [2012 -2015].
He noted that a lot of achievements were recorded in various sectors of the economy and social life such as reforming governance through the resolution of Ezeship disputes, empowerment of youths from oil producing areas, establishment of stakeholders forum and Community government Council.
Also, the dress code for civil / public servants was harmonized and the daily observation of the Imo-Mid day Prayers is achieved. The government also created new ministries.
The governor further said that with the budget of N194,142,120,869 in 2013, government were able to give free education from primary to tertiary Institutions including desks, sandals, uniforms and stipends while 305 ultra modern schools were built. College of Advanced Professional studies, Imo Young Scientist college, 26 general Hospitals and one referral hospital were established. Furthermore, the governor said during the period under review, Heroes Square, Ikemba Ojukwu Centre, Hall of Fame, Heroes Villa, Government House/Government House road network. Centenary Tower, ISOPADEC building and state house of assembly remodeled. Also during the period four bridges have been built. Massive roads network in both urban and rural communities have been achieved. Akakwa/Awaka link road, Anara, Amaraku and localities are being transformed to urban cities. The Bongo Square, Okigwe and Orlu stadia are being built including the Prince and Princes Hotels at Orlu and Okigwe to mention but a few.
The Chief Executive revealed that high priority will be accorded to projects and programmes that will grow the economy, create employment and increase revenue generation capacity as well as touch the lives of the people of the state.
He added that these will be achieved by increasing agriculture, strengthening entrepreneurship and self-help skills and creating an investment friendly environment.
“People will be encouraged to participate in governance while it will be ensured that every Imo child gets quality education”, the governor added.
The governor continued that there will be improvement in our infrastructural development just as human and institutional capacity will be rehabilitated, promote peaceful co-existence and improve the public expenditure and management pattern. He also pointed out that come 2014, the on-going stadia and NYSC permanent site will be completed while many youths will be engage into youth-must-work programme.
Owelle Okorocha said government will support Community Government Council, use the mayoral offices to develop zones as well as establish information/communication technology network statewide.
On the issue of Internally Generated Revenue, the governor said government will construct new sub-treasuries and renovate old ones. Tax payers Identification number will soon commence while there will be aggressive enumeration of residential and commercial houses in order to investigate high network individuals tax payers, he added.
The governor thanked the Hon. Members of the House of assembly and the good people of Imo state for their unalloyed support for the past two and half years for the actualization of his vision anchored on belief in God, Agriculture and Mass education.
Speaking earlier, the Speaker Imo House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ben Uwajimogu said the presentation of the budget is an opportunity to also have a retrospective look over the previous years as a foundation for setting new targets for the years ahead.
He said the Rescue Mission is on course and cannot be distracted, noting that all the sectors and subsectors of the stare’s economy have received reasonable attention with two and half years more than any past administration had done.
Hon Uwajimogu described the Rescue Mission Government as people oriented as the state’s resources were used for the purposes they were meant for and not a government that misuses and embezzles the people’s funds with impunity.
The Speaker pointed out that the state legislature has always proved its mantle in the discharge of its responsibility by particularly in the passage of bills and motions.
He reminded those at leadership positions to give account of their stewardship to those they are leading and “ensure that all public resources entrusted to our care are judiciously used so that the dividends of democracy are felt by all and sundry” he noted.
Amucha Jane
For SSA Media to the Governor
20th December, 2013.
