Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma presented the Imo State House of Assembly with a 2023 budget of N447.4 billion on Tuesday for approval.
Goldennewsng reports that recurrent expenditure of N150.4 billion, or 22% of the budget, and capital expenditure of N373.5 billion, or 78%, comprised the “Budget of Wealth Expansion.”
According to Uzodinma, the budget’s goal was to give the people of Imo long-term dividends of democracy and increase their wealth to satisfy their needs.
He went on to say that the budget would massively rehabilitate aging infrastructure in both urban and rural areas to put people’s well-being at the center of governance.
He reassured the State Assembly of his “unending support and commitment to the well-being of all Imo people” and stated that his administration would not tolerate financial mismanagement.
When the budget was approved, the governor promised to “vigorously pursue the implementation of policies, programs, and projects captured in the budget” and thanked the House for its support of his administration.
According to Emeka Nduka, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, the budget presentation offered a chance to “retrospectively look at past years with a view to improving on the future.”
He stated that the governor would be able to “continue his good works in 2023” if the budget was approved on time.
Mr. Nduka expressed optimism that the state’s infrastructure would be provided in the budget to fulfill the people’s aspirations.
He also thanked the governor for building a “world-class, digitalized” House of Assembly complex and said that the appropriation bill for 2022 was clearly used wisely.
He moved the plenary to December 21 for the proposed budget’s second reading and consideration.
