Ugwuanyi signs Enugu’s N103.5b budget into law

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Monday, signed the N103.5 billion 2018 budget recently passed by the House of Assembly into law, with a firm promise to fully implement the appropriation law for the benefit of the people and rapid and sustainable development of the
state.

He signed the budget at the Government House, Enugu, in the presence of his Deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, and other members of the State Executive Council; members of the House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Edward Ubosi; State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Augustine Nnamani, among other top government functionaries.

The governor noted that the law makers after due deliberation on the budget and consideration of the defence by the various ministries, Parastatals and all concerned with the budget, increased the budget size from N98.563 billion to N103.563 billion.

He commended the members of the House for the speedy and considerate passage of the budget, and the “wonderful” cooperation they have accorded the state government since inception.

He also expressed appreciation to the people of the state, whom he described as the true heroes of democracy, for the opportunity to serve, and their “unwavering” support and prayers for his administration, reassuring them that his promise to deliver good governance and selfless service to the state remains sacrosanct.

“Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I equally wish to assure you of our commitment to the full implementation of this budget, as we are fully aware that this will enable us realise all the objectives that we have set down in it for the benefit of our people and for the rapid and
sustainable development of our dear state,” Gov. Ugwuanyi said.

Earlier, the Speaker had commended the governor for the modest budget, which he said reduced both the internal and external borrowing to 16
percent, describing the governor as a good manager of finance.

Ubosi, who stated that the budget will not put the state in “a very tight condition,” and “cannot hang any debt on us,” also explained that the appropriation law was increased by N5billion to accommodate road projects that need urgent attention such as the Nkalagu-Eha-Amufu road.