Asuquo Cletus Felix
The Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has presented an the 2023 Appropriation Bill with a budget estimate of N330 billion naira to the state House of Assembly.
Ayade, While presenting the bill on Thursday, christened "Budget Of Quantum Infinitum", before the state lawmakers, said the budget proposal was among other things, designed mainly at addressing the poor economy, as well as bring the poor of the poorest together by providing what he described as "Food on the table" and to complete the project across the state.
The governor told the lawmakers that the budget was named Quantum Infinitum because " it is obvious that governments across the world have experienced a major setback, occasion by the Covid-19, major economies went on their knees.
" The budget is focused on the citizens, increasing hope and inspiring the hope of people. The cardinal purpose of this budget is to complete all existing projects and create an economy that never existed.
" We feel a sense of rape by various forces, particularly with the incident or the Bakkassi deep sea port, we feel we have been tortured. As a state, we must create our economy. Nobody else can stand with us let us not fail ourselves."
The governor said aspects of expenditure such as regular payment of salaries, gratuities and pensions were adequately catered for in the appropriation bill. Ayade who said the state was going through financial difficulties disclosed that his administration met the pension at N300 million but his government had risen it to N700Milion.
Ayade said he wished every retiree would get their gratuity and pension because of the harsh conditions of the country, as well the ageing reality of life.
He appealed that regardless of party lines citizens and government needed to remain United as one in ensuring that extreme poverty is reduced.
0 comments: