15th April, 2011
Calabar South Local Government in Cross River State, southsouth Nigeria, has submitted a budget estimate of N2,494,689,027.63 to the local Council Legislature for its services in the 2011 fiscal year.
The budget tagged “An opportunty to deepen democracy and enhance service deliveryâ€, was presented to the legislature by the Executive Chairman, Hon. Ekeng Nsa Henshaw.
According to him, “the focus of this year’s budget is to provide prompt services to all the citizens. These include access to water, sanitation, solid waste management, affordable and safe energy, transport, education, health services and development of community-based projects.â€
In the budget estimate, recurrent expenditure will take a total of N991,019,123.73 covering personnel cost, overhead cost and consolidated Revenue Fund Charges.
Under the capital expenditure, the Economic sub-sector takes the highest vote with N450,145,851 followed by Social service sub-sector with N274,099,179.62 and General Administration with N194, 903, 172.00. Environmental and Regional Development sector takes N86, 386, 454.92
He disclosed that the current budget system ensures financial discipline in the implementation of government funds for the realisation of specific budgetary goals and services on needs basis to all the communities in the Local Government Area by 2013 in collaboration with SEA, CUDA, Ministry of Works, etc.
While thanking the councilors for the co-operation of the legislature with the executive since his assumption of office, he informed them that sequel to his inauguration of a Revenue and Sanitation Management Committees, there are encouraging signs of improved internally generated revenue (IGR) as the local government has taken full control of her markets and motor parks.
He further disclosed that two neighbourhood markets are to be developed in the local government area in partnership with private developers.
In his remarks, the Leader of Calabar South Legislative Council, Hon. Offiong Ironbar lauded the commitment of the local government chairman and his determination to transform Calabar South.
He pledged the support of the councilors in helping the chairman achieve his good objectives for Calabar South by giving accelerated consideration to the 2011 budget estimate of the council.
The budget presentation was witnessed by some dignitaries, senior citizens of the local government including the representative of the Obong of Calabar and the Chairman of Efut Traditional Council, His Majesty, Muri Effiong Mbukpa.
By Emma Una/Calabar