Akwa Ibom councils get Dec 6 deadline to present budgets

Akwa Ibom State Government has urged the 31 local governments to work towards the passage of their 2024 budget on or before December 6, 2023.

The Chairman of the Bilateral Committee and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, gave the directive on behalf of the state government during the plenary session to discuss and scrutinise local government budget for 2024 fiscal year, held yesterday in Uyo.

The commissioner, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ini Ikie, advised council chairmen to double efforts for timely conclusion of all budget cycles, to facilitate implementation for the good of the people.

The Director General, Akwa Ibom Fiscal Responsibility Board, Mr Victor Edet, enjoined councils whose capital components were lower than their recurrent components, to reflect on their projections by restructuring their capital estimates.

The local government councils of Ibesikpo-Asutan, Essien Udim, Obot Akara,Ukanafun, Ini, Itu, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo took turns to defend their budgets and were represented by the heads of service, directors of finance and directors of Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics (BPRS).