Charles Onyekamuo in Awka
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has presented a budget estimate of N115.5 billion for the 2017 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.
Making the presentation in Awka on Tuesday, Obiano said that of this amount, the state expects N56.6 billion to be for recurrent expenditure, while N58.9 billion would be for capital expenditure.
These, he said, reflect the focus on significant infrastructural development during the year to stimulate the local economy towards recovery.
The budget, tilted: “Budget for Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth”, the governor explained, was his administration’s response to the very difficult economic situation forced upon the state’s citizenry by the nation-wide economic recession.
He added that as was the case in the out-going year, his administration would continue to prioritize production over consumption.
The primary focus of the 2017 budget, he said, remained the development of Anambra’s economy and laying the foundation for a future the people can be proud of, a future that assures of job increases and improved social welfare.
Though the Governor emphasized that progress in these areas would be difficult, he said that his administration would have to work real hard to establish economic stability in the state amidst a deteriorating national economic environment and empower the people to thrive in challenging times.
