2018 CRS Budget: Speaker Lebo Okays Actualization

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – Despite reservations by financial experts about its actualization, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo says the 2018 budget Christened, “Budget of kinetic Crystallization” is a practical document for implementation.

He said the Assembly has resolved to fully support the State Government’s industrialization efforts as reflected in the size of the budget proposed by Governor Ben Ayade.

The Governor had on Thursday November 30, 2017 shocked many economic experts and commentators with his presentation of a 1.3 trillion Naira ‘Budget of Kinetic Crystallization’ to the State House of Assembly for year 2018.

Addressing journalists after the plenary where the Appropriation Bill passing through its second reading, Lebo said Cross River State cannot limit its budget’s size to Federal Allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) alone.

According to him; ‘’we support the figures that the Governor has presented at this point, pending when we will take the cross examination of the activities that have influenced the increment ’’.

Speaker Lebo further said the budget figures are achievable given the elaborate plans outlined by government to generate funds for its signature projects; the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the 275 km Super Highway valued at about N500 billion among others.

He assured of the House readiness and commitment to a thorough interrogation and engagement of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) during the budget defence as well as effective oversight of government projects supervision.

The Speaker said once the budget has been passed, its details will be accessible on the internet for Cross Riverians and anyone interested in the document.

Assuring those expressing concern over the budget’s size, the Speaker said; “the figure of 1.3 trillion Naira did not drop from hallucination but came out of the State’s Economic growth and strategic plan.’’

He argued that Governor Ayade’s capacity to engage over 4,000 appointees and regularly pay salaries aptly demonstrates his ingenuity and a proof that he always delivers on his promises.

Lebo, who lauded his colleagues for their robust presentations during plenary, where the Appropriation Bill passed through its second reading, stated that NEXIM Bank and other potential investors have indicated interests to invest in the State’s budget.

In his remarks at the briefing, Chairman of the House Finance and Appropriation Committee, Rt. Hon. Eteng Williams, assured that the Committee would thoroughly analyze the bill before presenting it to the House for passage.

Williams, who represents Yakurr ll State Constituency, said with over 190 MDAs expected to interface with the Committee, a time table is being prepare to capture dates for MDAs’ appearance even as the State’s Economic Adviser is also expected to brief the lawmakers on the budget details soon.

The Committee chairman praised the Governor for what he described as ‘’the audacity of hope and courage’’, noting that the budget size is “not outrageous” as being peddled in some quarters.

He however pledged that the Committee would be very transparent in its work with a resolve to deliver the bill on time for the House’s consideration.

The Committee was given one month to present its report after most lawmakers spoke backing Governor Ayade to realise the ambitious budget estimates when passed into law.