Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday assented to the 2022 budget of the state and promised to do everything possible to achieve at least 80 percent implementation of the budget.
The ₦483.1 billion budget is the last full budget that the governor will implement before leaving office in May, 2023.
Wike said that though 2022will be turbulent politically, he would remain focused on the implementation of the budget.
He said that the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act amendment bill would have a ripple effect on the polity, particularly if the National Assembly decide to override his veto.
“So, next year will be politically turbulent and it will affect performance of every budget. But I pray to God that it shouldn’t be much, so that we will be able to execute the necessary plans and goods we have for our people,” he added.
Wike thanked members of the House of Assembly for the quick passage of the Appropriation Bill and sustained support for his government.
The speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani acknowledged the robust collaboration that has existed between the executive and the legislature.
Ibani praised the governor over his flyover and road projects, saying that there is now reduced travel time in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Presenting the Rivers State Appropriation Law No. 11, 2021 to the Governor for his assent, leader of the house, Hon. Martins Amaewhule said lawmakers sat, studied the various estimates before passing same.
According to him, given how the previous budgets have been implemented, they are sure that this current appropriation law will be implemented to consolidate the successes already achieved.