By Isaiah Eke
Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Monday signed the 2022 Appropriation Bill into law with a total outlay of N586.88 billion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the 2022 budget christened: “Budget of Redefining Standards,” was passed by the State House of Assembly on Dec.2 with an increase of N4.77 billion.
This represented an increase of 0.8 per cent from the initial estimate of N582.12 billion presented by the governor.
The 2022 Appropriation Bill signed into law is made up of N261.96 billion as recurrent and N324.91 billion of capital expenditure.
Emmanuel assented to the 2022 Appropriation Bill during an expanded Executive Council meeting.
He commended the State House of Assembly, Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, Accountant General office and other government agencies involved in the budgetary process for its timely passage.
“We are believing that with God on our side 2022 will be better than 2021. It is expedient to sign the bill early enough in the week to allow for smooth winding down of the year 2021 and take-off 2022, considering nearness to Christmas.
“The accompanying holidays will reduce productivity of the state being predominantly Christian state,” Emmanuel said.
He also directed the State Accountant General, Mr Andrew Essien, to ensure payment of salaries and pension to retirees in the state on or before Dec. 23 to support their Yuletide celebration.
“I have given an order to the Accountant General to try and pay vivil servants’ salaries almost immediately.
“We are a Christian state, whether the Federal Government gives us money or not, we must look for money anywhere to make sure that our people hold their Christmas.
”We need at least N10 billion to be able to pay salaries and pensioners must also be paid.
“It has to be done between now and Thursday because Friday is Christmas eve,” he said.
(NAN)
