Gov Uzodimma signs 2021 budget of N346.2bn into law

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has signed the 2021 budget of N346.2 billion tagged “Budget of Wealth Creation” into law.

The ceremony which took place at the Executive Chambers on Tuesday at the Government House Owerri was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House Assembly, Paul Emeziem and Principal Officers of Imo State House of Assembly and members of the Imo State expanded executive.

Putting the official seal on the 2021 appropriation bill as passed by the House of Assembly, the Governor informed that the Executive presented an estimate that was “a realistic thinking of what will drive Imo State to the next level, if fully implemented.”

The Governor reiterated the tag of the budget which is “Budget of Wealth Creation” and emphasised that if well implemented will address the unemployment problems in the State, provide infrastructure, provide counterpart funding to the State’s global partners and bridge the gaps that exist to both the State local economy and other economies.

He noted that the Executive Arm of government has the responsibility to “drive the appropriated revenue, generate the revenue through her MDAs, spend the revenue as appropriated and ensure that the performance profile of the budget as passed into law is reasonable and such that will impact on the lives of the State and her citizenry.”

He thanked the leadership and members of the Imo State House of Assembly for their prompt and timely passage of the appropriation bill which, saying it is a reflection of a strong and cordial partnership between the Executive Arm and the Legislature.

Presenting the Budget for the Governor’s assent the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emeziem said they have “done justice to the appropriation bill,” saying the budget passed through the due process of First, Second and Third reading.

Iheanyi Nwachukwu

Iheanyi Nwachukwu, is a creative content writer with almost two decades journalism experience writing on banking, finance, capital markets, and tax. The multiple awards winning journalist is Assistant Editor, BusinessDay. Iheanyi holds BSc Degree in Economics from Imo State University; Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Management from University of Lagos. Iheanyi has attended several work-related trainings including (i) Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (Pan African University, Lagos); (ii) News Agency Journalism (Indian Institute of Mass Communication {IIMC}, New Delhi, India); and (iii) Capital Markets Development and Regulations (International Law Institute {ILI} of Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA). Other trainings Iheanyi attended include: Economic/Political Risk Analysis (By Thomson Reuters Foundation); International Financial Journalism (IFJ) (By PMA Media Training, UK); Effective Business Writing Skills (By Phillips Consulting); Reporting on Corporate Governance (By International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Thomson Reuters Foundation UK); etc. In addition, he has participated in high-level economy & markets events in Dubai, South Africa, Morocco, and other African countries like Zambia, Ghana and Gambia.