Amaechi signs 2008 budget, 4 bills

05.05.2008

Five bills aimed at ensuring rapid socio-economic development of Rivers State were at the weekend signed into law by Governor Rotimi Amaechi at a ceremony at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The bills are the Public Procurement Bill No. 4 of 2008, Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency Bill No. 3 of 2008, and the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency Amendment Bill No. 1 of 2008.

Others are the Rivers State Reserved Funds Bill No. 2 of 2008, and the Rivers State Appropriation Bill No. 5 of 2008. Speaking after signing the bills, Governor Amaechi assured that the provisions of the laws would be properly applied for the growth of the state. The governor also said that the laws, which were essentially executive bills, were proposed to ensure discipline in the conduct of government business.

On the Public Procurement Law and the 2008 Appropriation Law, Governor Amaechi assured that the laws would be implemented with zeal and vigour and with the application of discipline in spending, as both laws were intended to ensure financial prudence and discipline as well as save costs and funds for the state.

He enjoined the Budget Commissioner and all those involved in budgetary proposals for the state to ensure that proposals for next year were ready by October/November for onward transmission to the State House of Assembly as early submission of appropriation bill would facilitate early passage of the bill for the benefit of the state. It would be recalled that