THE PRESENTATION OF 2012 APPROPRIATION BILL TO THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF ABIA

It is with great sense of humility, honour and commitment, that I, on behalf of my distinguished colleagues, management and staff of Abia State House of Assembly, joyfully welcome Your Excellency, Chief Dr. T, A. Orji (Ochendo) and your esteemed colourful entourage to the hallowed chamber of the Abia State House of Assembly, on this auspicious occasion of the presentation of the year 2012 Appropriation Bill.
Presentation of Budget or Appropriation Bill is an annual constitutional and statutory ritual, which the Executive Arm of Government, must perform preparatory for any ensuing Fiscal Year.
Your Excellency, it is therefore needless to say that like us, you too may also have prayed for this unique occasion which, apart from giving you the opportunity to present the 2012 Appropriation Bill to Abians, will also provide the forum for you to meet and interact with your Legislator, friends and staff of the Abia House of Assembly.
Your Excellency, as you have come to discharge one of your key constitutional functions, may I once more congratulate you on your successful re-election into office for a second term and also for successfully and convincingly scaling through the legal hurdles, raised by your opponents in the 2011 April polls.
The 2012 Appropriation Bill which, Your Excellency has aptly christened “Budget of Transformation is expected to transform and jumpstart the Abia economy and renews the hope of Abia citizens for a better tomorrow.

Your Excellency, the last 6-7 months have not been without challenges, your administration within the period, has recorded significant achievements in the areas of infrastructure, power, health, security, roads, environment ,housing, education, agriculture, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, gender sensitivity and other core sectors of the economy.
We, at the House of Assembly commend you in a most spectacular manner over the prevailing peace and security currently witnessed across the State. This is the result of your commitment, hard work and foresightedness in dealing with the security situation in Abia State. It is heartwarming to note, that today Abia State is the most peaceful State in Nigeria. We further commend you, over the massive and aggressive infrastructural development which your administration has pursued in and around the State.
Your Excellency, I make bold to state that this present administration is truly on a mission-having targeted key service areas for delivery to the people as part of their democracy dividends. The commissioning of two Specialist and Diagnostic Hospitals in Aba and Umuahia with the state of the art equipment, rehabilitation of both State and Federal Government, roads, dualization of major roads leading to the State Capital, award of contract for evacuation of electric power to feeder sub-stations within the Umuahia Capital Territory, construction of new Secretariat and International Conference Centre as well as donation of vehicles to a number of institutions and organizations including among others, the Police, the Army and even the Abia Legislature are eloquent testimonies of your desire and determination to leave God’s Own State better than you met it.

Your Excellency, you have once again demonstrated your love for Abia workers in spite of all odds by going beyond the Federal Government approved minimum wage of N18,000.00 and committedly accepting and approving the payment of N20,100.00 as minimum wage. This means that the lowest paid worker in Abia State receives N20,100.00 over and above his counterparts in the Federal Government establishments. I salute your courage, concern and show of love for Abia workers.
The prudent and transparent way that your administration has managed the finances of the State, to a very great extent accounted for the classification of Abia State as one of the financially healthy States in Nigeria by the National Assembly, We commend Your Excellency for this remarkable fiscal discipline and urge that you do not relent in your efforts to realize the lofty and noble dreams of your administration for the good people of Abia State.
The 2012 Appropriation Bill shows a reasonable increase over that of last year, which is an indication that the State is making some progress and it is our belief and conviction that the year 2012, will usher in greater advances in our shared efforts and commitment to make Abia State better.
The progress so far attained should be consolidated and built upon, for a better future for ourselves and our children. For the fact that the expectations of Abians from whom we derive our mandate are very high vis a vis delivery of dividends of democracy, we cannot afford to disappoint them as their representatives.
Therefore, as “Budget of Transformation” the 2012 Appropriation Bill should adequately provide for quality education, health care delivery, agriculture, road construction, job creation and employment opportunities. It should also enhance value of the public private partnership (PPP) in all aspects of the social and economic development of our State, so as to give meaning to the lives of Abians in all walks of life.
Furthermore, it should be such that will increase access to such variables that will guarantee the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are veritable vehicles of genuine transformation, industrialization and service delivery.
Implementation of this budget of transformation must be religiously and efficiently handled by those whose duty it is, to do so. As an institution and a partnering arm of the Government in a democratic dispensation such as ours, the Abia Legislature will not relent in continuously providing the necessary legislative frameworks that will support every concerted effort aimed at guaranteeing peace, stability justice, good governance and above all sustainable development in our State.
Your Excellency, it may interest you to note that the 5th Abia House of Assembly which you proclaimed on Wednesday 8th June 2011 has performed creditably. So far, the House has held 43 plenary sessions, received 13 Bills out of which 5 Bills have been conclusively and successfully passed into Law and awaiting your ascent. The remaining 8 Bills are at various stages of consideration and will very soon be forwarded to Your Excellency for ascent. We have also within the period under review, entertained and passed 4 motions and 37 resolutions on topical issues.
The House also within this period has fully renovated and furnished the official residence, Lodge of the Honourable Speaker of the House. Equally, work is still on-going on the reconstruction of the official residence of the Deputy Speaker of the House. The House has further intensified efforts at solving the office accommodation problem of the Assembly by embarking on the construction of a 34 – room storey building office complex which is now at 20% stage of completion.
All this feat, Your Excellency is a reflection of the determination and commitment of the entire members of this Honourable House, in the spirit of collective responsibility and good working relationship with the Executive Arm, to take Abia State to the next level of positive development.
Your Excellency, these projects as you know, are capital intensive and must be effectively backed up financially. Therefore, I wish to use this opportunity to appeal to Your Excellency to use your good offices to cause adequate and prompt releases of funds meant for Abia State House of Assembly to enable her realize her numerous developmental dreams.
May I at this juncture, assure Your Excellency of our readiness and commitment to give accelerated consideration to the 2012 Appropriation Bill presented before us today. We will ensure the full participation of all Abians in our Legislative proceedings and step up our oversight functions on the Ministries and other Government establishments, to ensure compliance with a view to collectively navigating the ship of God’s Own State to a safe harbour for the common good of all Abians.
Your Excellency, members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen, as we gird our loins for the forth coming Fiscal Year, we expect greater zeal, synergy and collaboration in all efforts geared towards achieving the goals of this Budget of Transformation.
Finally, we wish you all Merry Christmas and Fulfilled New Year. May God bless Abia State and Nigeria. Thank you for your honoured attention.