A'Ibom 2020 Budget set for Approval Dec 2019

.As Govt Inaugurates 11 Man MTEF Committee 

Michael Ufot

The 2020 Budget of Akwa Ibom State government may get approval of the State Assembly between November and December this year, The Eyes Newspaper authoritatively gathered.

This was made known by the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr Akan Okon during the Inauguration of the 2020 Capital Estimates/2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Bilateral Discission Coordination Committee held at the Ministry Conference Room, Uyo on Monday.

Inaugurating the 11 man Committee, Mr Okon mentioned that the 2020 Budget will concentrate on the citizens' immediate needs as research will be carried out on the basic needs of both the citizens, Stakeholders and major players before finalising on the 2020 Budget.

His word, "we have to follow the dateline set for the preparation of the Budget. We are targeting November or latest December 2019 for the approval of the 2020 Budget by the State House of Assembly, hence we have to put our very best to get the best result."

"The issue of budgetting is taking a new dimension. The budgeting process is no more seen as a ritual. Stakeholders, beneficiaries of the Budget are expected to be carried along in every stage in budgeting preparation. The 2020 Budget will take care of their immediate needs ." He added.

The Commissioner who is the Chairman of the Budget Committee, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for his commitment to transparency and accountability in the business of governance in the State, reiterating that citizens in the State must be fully involved in the budgeting process in line with international best practices and best global standards.

Expatiating on the numerous benefits of the "2020 Citizens Budget", Mr Okon said that $3m is readily available for State government that would adhere to the Citizens' Budget process a published same, disclosing that some States in Nigeria has long embarked on the implementation of the Budget.

Members of the committee are:

Mr Akan Okon- Chairman

Mr Linus Nkan

Dr Glory Edet

Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien

Mr Effiong Ekpenyong perm sec

Budget officer Mr Otu Asuquo

Mrs Enobong Okpongpong - Dir Economic planning

Dir of Statistics - Mr Peter Akpan

Dr Mrs Uduak Ekong- Head, Int'l Corporation

Mrs Idongesit Asuquo (Economic planning) Member/Secretary