2023 Budget:Ebonyi State Government Holds Citizens’ Consultative Meeting
The Ebonyi State Government has organised a Citizens’ input and consultation meeting to inject people’s opinions into the 2023 Budget Estimate.
The Citizens’ meeting held in Abakaliki, the State capital was tagged “Budget of Divine Mandate Consolidation and Continuity” estimated at N139 billion.
The State Governor Umahi said the priority areas would be health, education, Agriculture, Infrastructure and Human Capital development.
He clarified that the 2022 Budget has been implemented to 75%, saying that he was satisfied that Government was fast executing the 199 kilometre Abakaliki Ring Road project.
The Governor noted that the road project already executed to 93% would further open up the rural areas to the City.
Hate Speech
Meanwhile Governor Umahi has appealed to the people of Ebonyi to stay away from hate speeches and fake news, to avoid overheating the polity going into the general elections.
He said; “We will not tolerate hate speech in Ebonyi State and falsehood, freedom of speech does not amount to falsehood, it does not amount to fake news. Part of the insecurity in Nigeria is still because of fake news and hate speeches.”
No use of schools for rallies
The Governor also announced ban on hosting of activities in public schools across the State saying “anyone wishing to do so would first obtain permission from the Commissioner for Education, from Nov 1st.”
The State Commissioner for Finance, Orlando Nweze identified the Federal Allocation, Internally Generated Revenue and funds from Development partners as projected sources of income to finance the 2023 Budget.
The Commissioner also listed upgrading of the Primary Health Centres and Solar powered streetlights as some of the priorities of the Government under the 2023 Budget.
Participants at the Citizens input meeting were Disabled Groups, Women Organizations, National Youth Council, Civil Society Groups, non-governmental and faith based organizations. They made contributions for the 2023 Budget Estimate to be presented to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly soon.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
