The chairman, House committee on appropriation and finance, in the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Itorobong Etim, has assured the people of quick passage of the 2024 Appropriation bill before Dec. 31.

Ms Etim said this while briefing journalists on Wednesday on the 2024 appropriation as presented to the Assembly for consideration by Gov. Umo Eno.

She called on ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to cooperate with the committee during the budget defence to ensure speedy passage of the 2024 budget.

Mr Etim, a member representing Uruan state constituency, added that government is a continuum, hence the governor would continue with the projects executed by the previous administration.

“I want to assure members of the public that the Committee will be willing to interface with Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the passage of the bill within record time,” Ms Etim said.

She urged the heads of MDAs to cooperate with the committee, as it would not entertain any unnecessary delay during the budget defence.

The chairman added that the governor had stated that the 2024 budget would work to improve the agriculture sector to ensure food sufficiency for Akwa Ibom people.

According to her, the government will take education seriously, as it will continue with free compulsory education in primary and secondary education.

Ms Etim said the government had also agreed to continue with the payment of WAEC fees to Akwa Ibom students, to lessen the burdens on parents.

She said that the state government was determined to open up rural areas to bring governance closer to the rural people.

“The State Government will continue to construct access roads, which already have started, in Nsit Ibom/Ibesikpo Asutan, Ikot Ekpene and Oron Local Government areas, respectively.

“They will extend this to other parts of the State. The campaign promise of Government made to construct Ndiya Street in Udua Akpan Andem has been fulfilled,” she said.

The chairman called on members of the public, labour unions and other organisations to contribute their quotas for effective budgeting during public hearings.

(NAN)