By Joel Anekwe
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Saturday signed the state’s 2019 Appropriation Bill into law, with a pledge to sustain the massive development of the state.
The governor signed a 2019 budget of N480, 411, 324, 647 as passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly. Governor Wike on December 24, 2018 presented an appropriation bill of N480 billion to the State House of Assembly for their consideration.
Signing the 2019 Budget at the Government House Port Harcourt on Saturday, Governor Wike thanked members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for collaborating with his administration to develop the state.
He said: “On behalf of the executive arm of government, let me thank the honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for passing the 2019 Appropriation Bill into law.
“We have worked together to develop our dear state. Over this period, we have focused on infrastructure because we are committed to attracting investors.”
The governor said that road infrastructure and other facilities are needed to open up the state and create the right environment for investors to come to the state adding that the government has also reduced the level of insecurity in the state.
He assured that his administration will implement the 2019 budget judiciously in order to achieve the set objectives of the Appropriation Law and solicited for the continuous support of the state lawmakers towards moving the state forward.
“Let us continue to work together in the interest of the state. For the opposition members, I thank you for placing the interest of the state above partisan consideration “, he said.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani commended the Rivers State governor for laying the foundation for the rapid development of the state.
He noted that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are happy to be associated with the rapid development of Rivers State under the dynamic leadership of Governor Wike .
Presenting the 2019 budget for the governor’s assent, majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martins Amaewhule said that the budget will sustain the tempo of development in the state.