Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha

Onwuka Nzeshi in Abuja
 

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka  Ihedioha, has explained the rationale behind  the early  passage of the 2013 budget.

Ihedioha, who spoke  at the weekend,  said the passage of the budget  before the end of the year was  to ensure that budget implementation commences early in the new year for enhanced fiscal results.

Last Thursday’s passage of the national  budget was the first time since democracy was restored in 1999 that the  National Assembly would endorse an  Appropriation Bill for the President’s assent before the end of the year.

Budget considerations usually spilled over to the first quarter of another year.

Ihedioha noted that the House pursued the early passage of the budget to guarantee that the executive would not have excuses towards ensuring early and comprehensive implementation of the budget.

He stated that early and complete implementation of the budget would not only engender development but also economic growth and wealth creation.

According to him, when contractors are not mobilised for project execution the tendency is for them to sack workers which impacts adversely on the labour market.

The Deputy Speaker disclosed that he ensured that in the 2013 budget there was enhanced Federal Government presence in Imo State.

He noted that he facilitated the inclusion of some strategic infrastructural development projects in Imo in the budget.

Among the projects he listed  was the construction of Owerri-Elele Roadthat links Imo to oil-rich South-south.

He expressed desire to facilitate more development projects and  promised to organise more skills acquisition programmes  to ensure a reduction in  the  rate of unemployment and boost  wealth creation in the state.