17th January, 2024
SIR (HON) ALLWELL IHUNDA DSSRS JP, PRESENTS TEN BILLION FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED AND FIVE THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY TWO NAIRA FIFTY KOBO (N10, 424, 405, 842, 50K) BUDGET ESTIMATE TO THE PORT HARCOURT CITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY:
_Says his administration has delivered on the mandate given to him by the people, as he has also taken deliberate actions to improving their wellbeing.
The Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Sir Allwell Ihunda DSSRS JP, presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill of Ten Billion four hundred and twenty four million four hundred and five thousand eight hundred and forty two naira fifty kobo (N10.424, 405, 842, 50k) tagged “THE BUDGET OF HOPE” to the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Legislative Assembly.
Presenting the Bill to the Legislators, he made it explicitly clear that, the Bill is segmented into three phases of which N5.83BN is for Recurrent Expenditure, N4.458BN for Capital Expenditure and N104, 244, 058. 43k as Reserved Fund of 1% Revenue.
Sir Ihunda stated that, against the backdrop of the prevailing inflation and the excruciating economic realities and his quest to consolidate on his achievements recorded in the year 2023, his administration decided to tag this year’s Budget, “The Budget of Hope”.
He emphasized that, the Capital Expenditure is targeted at completing all ongoing Projects to help improve the wellbeing of the people of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area before the end of his Administration.
Speaking on the overview of the performance of his Administration in the year 2023, Sir Allwell stated, “Mr Leader, for us, the year 2023 has been an eventful and successful one in every remarkable ways, though not without its fair share of challenges.
Mr Leader, Hon. Councillors, recall that during my last year’s Budget Presentation in this Legislative Chamber, I stated that we shall carry out more Projects and Programs that have direct bearing on the economic lives of our people. This I make bold to say, we have fulfilled the promise we made inline with 2023 Budget”.
In the year just ended, as a responsive government, we ensured that some sectors were given greater attention for the overall benefit of our people. Particularly, the provision of security vehicles to support security agencies in fighting crimes, the construction and renovation of markets to boost economic activities.
On this note, may I with the kind permission of the Leader and Hon. Councillors, mention some outstanding Projects and Programmes our Administration initiated, completed and few ongoing ones.
1) Renovated and equipped State Primary Schools 1 and 2 Orogbum.
2) Renovated and equipped State Primary School, Oromenike D/Line.
3) Renovated and equipped State Primary School 2, Ibadan Street.
4) Rehabilitated Ohiamini Road, off Olu-Obasanjo Road with Solar Street Light.
5) Constructed Ihunda Road and Ime Road in Orogbum Community with Asphalt, drainages and Solar Street Lights.
6) Reconstructed Oroworukwo Community Market, with Solar lights and water borehole.
7) Rehabilitated Mile 3 Motor Park.
8) Replacement of 520 removed/stolen manhole covers in Port Harcourt Metropolis.
9) Completion of 3rd Batch of 260 beneficiaries of the Skills Acquisition Programme ready for graduation with Starter Packs by the end of January, 2024.
10) Ongoing construction of office Complex for Federal Government Parastatals and Agencies namely, DSS, Immigration, NYSC, NPC, UBEC, Road Safety, NIMC, NAFDAC, NEMA, Etc.
11) Ongoing construction of Staff Canteen Building.
12) Construction and fully furnished Council Executive Chambers.
13) Donated 3 Transformers to Abuloma, Orogbum Communities and St Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu.
14) Desilting of several drainages within Port Harcourt Metropolis.
15) Installation of Solar Street Lights at Gambia, Abel Jumbo, Ikwuato, Chief Chinwo, Akukwa, Ede, Adumgbi, Anume, Wachukwu Streets and St Paul’s Cathedral Church.
16) Maintenance of faulty Solar Street Lights at Gada, Okeh, Orieku, Odu, Ali, Orianwo and Wali Streets.
Sir Ihunda stated that, while his administration’s accomplishments in 2023 seemed endless, it is his hope that more projects that have direct bearing on the people shall be provided to further enhance their living standards.
Responding after the presentation, Leader of the Port Harcourt City Legislative Assembly, Hon. Hanachor Noble Orlu thanked and commended the Mayor for his visionary leadership and developmental strides since he assumed office. He also assured the Mayor that the Budget will go through second reading and passed for implementation.
PHALGA MEDIA
