Emmanuel Presents N697bn 2023 Budget Estimate To A’Ibom Assembly

Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has presented a budget estimate of N697.005 billion for the 2023 fiscal year.

The budget proposal, tagged “Budget of Completion”, has a capital expenditure outlay of N535 billion and N344.005 billion for recurrent expenditure, totalling N697.005 billion as against the previous year’s revised provision of N631.881 billion.

Making the presentation, Governor Emmanuel explained that “the budget is predicated on an oil benchmark of $70 per barrel at a production rate of 17.16 barrel per day and is focused on the policy thrust of consolidating on the gains of the 8-point Completion Agenda.”

He further explained  the policy objectives of the 2023 budget to include: “stimulating the state’s economy to create opportunities of gainful employment through industrialization, agriculture as well as air and sea infrastructure; continued support for SMEs as the engine of our economy to encourage local capacity in manufacturing and the use of our locally made products for domestic use exports; economic diversification to create more wealth, sustainable employment and food sufficiency; amelioration of poverty among vulnerable groups, including women and persons living with disabilities through pro-poor spending, among others.”

He also outlined strategies for realizing the set objectives to include: “partnering foreign investors in relevant sectors of the state economy and robust human capital development; widen the industrial base of the state thereby enhancing the availability of goods and services for domestic consumption; enhance delivery of qualitative and prompt service by public servants through automation and effective intra and inter MDAs collaboration; improve fiscal transparency and accountability in all MDAs with emphasis on cost effectiveness in all programmes and projects of government.”

To aid implementation, the budget also has a projected recurrent revenue of N390.850 billion which, includes: Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs) of N47.850 billion, N51 billion Statutory Revenue, N200 billion Derivation Revenue, N10 billion from Excess Crude and N82 billion from VAT, Electronic Money Transfer Levy, Exchange Gain and others.

While recounting the gains of Legislature-Executive collaboration for the state in the past years, Governor Emmanuel appealed for due consideration and timely approval of the 2023 budget, promising to faithfully implement its provision for the benefit of the people of the state.

Responding, the Speaker, Mr. Aniekan Bassey, acknowledged the harmonious and result-oriented relationship between the executive and other arms of government, which, he affirmed, had translated into growth and development in the state, and transmitted the document to the Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriation chaired by  Uduak Odudoh (Mkpat Enin/Ikot Abasi).