• Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations and Finance, Dr. Itoro Etim (R), and her colleagues: Sampson Idiong (M) & Emem Udom (L) at the budget defence exercise, yesterday
Itoro Bassey
Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriations and Finance, Dr. Itoro Etim, Dr. Itoro Etim, has expressed her committee’s commitment to diligently work towards the timely passage of the 2024 budget by the House.
Dr. Etim, who represents Uruan state constituency, hailed the ongoing budget defence process as an invaluable opportunity for the committee to thoroughly examine and evaluate the financial proposals put forth by the State Government.
She said the budget defence, which commenced on Monday with the State budget office, has been a platform for the committee to scrutinize the budgetary plans of various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of the State.
During the budget defence session held at the conference room of the State Assembly Complex in Uyo on Wednesday, Dr. Etim specifically commended the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) for its achievements in the 2023 fiscal year and its visionary plans for job creation and waste to wealth initiatives in the proposed 2024 budget.
The appropriations and finance committee recognized that AKSEPWMA’s ‘waste to wealth’ initiative, in line with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, has the potential to revolutionize the state’s waste management practices while simultaneously generating employment opportunities for the youth.
Similarly, the committee applauded the agency’s efforts to alleviate poverty and attract foreign investment.
Prince Akpan Ikim, Chairman of AKSEPWMA, led the management team in presenting the agency’s review of the 2023 revenue of N160 million, 2023 approved capital expenditure of N1, 098,488,920.00 billion, revenue projection of N160 million for 2024, capital budget estimates for 2024, as well as new projects to be included in the 2024 budget and the challenges faced by the agency.
Also, Prof. Nse Essien, Vice Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), disclosed on Wednesday that the university’s 2024 budget aims to build upon the successes achieved in 2023.
Essien said the total budget for the university in 2023 amounted to N8.1 billion, with N2.9 billion released between January and September, leaving an outstanding balance of N5.1 billion.
According to him, the 2024 budget is estimated at N9.5 billion. Prof. Essien also discussed the review of revenue sources for the university in the outgoing year and projected revenue for 2024, including school fees, UTME remittance, farm proceeds, and contractors’ registration.
Members of the Appropriations and Finance Committee, including Asuquo Udo (Ikono state constituency), Bassey Pius Bassey (Okobo), Uwemedimo Asuquo (Uyo), Lawrence Udoide (Ini), Emem Udom (Ukanafun), Uduak Ekpo-Ufot (Etinan), and Sampson Idiong (Oruk Anam), inquired from the MDAs about strategies to generate revenue for the Budget Estimate and ensure the realization of the 2024 Budget.
Several other agencies, such as the Akwa Ibom State Culture and Tourism Board, Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), Akwa Ibom Property Investment Company (APICO), Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Akwa Ibom State Fiscal Responsibility Board, Akwa Ibom State Life Enhancement Agency, Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP), Office of the State Surveyor General, Judiciary, College of Science and Technology, Nung Ukim Ikono, and others, have also appeared for the Budget Defence.
The budget defence process will continue on Friday.
• Photos of the sessions
