Posted by From DAVID ONWUCHEKWA, Nnewi on
The governor of Anambra State , Mr. Peter Obi has signed into law the 2008 Appropriation Bill thus ending months of bickering over the budget.
The governor of Anambra State , Mr. Peter Obi has signed into law the 2008 Appropriation Bill thus ending months of bickering over the budget.
Though he originally presented a budget of N84 billion , it was reduced to N74 billion by the State House of Assembly.
Speaking at the well attended ceremony, the governor, who regretted the time already lost promised to do everything to gain lost ground. 'Today, as we sign the Appropriation Bill into law, though regrettably belated, as we have already lost some strategic months especially for the much needed infrastructural development such as construction of roads and physical development of our institutions, I wish to re-assure you that we shall nevertheless ensure purposeful delivery of this landmark budget. Thus, we shall aggressively carry on with the development of all sectors in line with our Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS).
'To reinvent government in Anambra State , we must chart a new way of conducting public business, according to global best practices. We must, therefore, shun partisan politics and embrace politics of development. We must habitually remind ourselves that public resources must be used for public good.
'At all times we shall strive to enthrone efficiency, transparency, effectiveness and maximum productivity in line with the spirit of our Integrated Development Strategy, which has been duly accommodated in the budget, which I am proud to say, is demand-driven.
'The signing of this Bill today will happily give birth to our Budget of Integrated Development. You are, therefore, all invited to join hands with the government for the smooth implementation of the Budget."
Shortly after the signing of the budget, the governor swore in the Chief Judge of the State High Court, Hon. Justice Emeka Azubike Nzegwu and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Chinwe Amaechi.
On the efforts of his government to improve the Judiciary, he said: 'Within the context of Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) , we are committed to providing the necessary infrastructure for the Judiciary to function optimally. We now release the entire capital vote of the judiciary unlike as was obtainable in the past. Last year, we appointed ten magistrates in the state. We have also appointed five judges for the State High Court and three judges for the Customary Court of Appeal. These are geared towards expeditious delivery of justice. For the first time since the creation of the State, we provided brand new cars for the magistrates. We approved the new High Court Civil Procedure Rules. We are building new residential quarters for judges."
The governor also said the state was working to ensure that federal courts are located in Anambra State with the the Federal High Court already in the state and about to become operational within the next few weeks. 'We are working towards obtaining approval for the location of the Court of Appeal at Awka," he said.
As part of this ceremony, 15 brand new Peugeot 406 and 12 brand new Honda City cars were handed over to the judiciary for the use of judges and magistrates respectively.
The governor who said his government would not interfere with the judiciary promised to continue to provide for it within the limits of the state's resources.
The newly sworn-in Chief Justice thanked God for His mercies. He also thanked the governor, the National Judicial Commission and the House of Assembly for appointing him, recommending him and confirming him. He called on the people of the state to support the governor in his genuine efforts to reinvent governance in the state.