The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole on Friday, signed the N149.5 billion Appropriation Bill for 2013 into law.
Mr Oshiomhole, who commended the leadership of the State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill, said the assembly’s alteration of the original estimate added value to the final approval.
The governor, in November, presented a budget estimate of N150.45 billion to the house for consideration and approval.
“We acknowledge that the Assembly scrutinised and altered the original document because what I am signing is exactly not the same document we proposed to the House.
“I will say that it is a clear demonstration of the essence of separation of powers and that the document is in fact much better.
“It also goes to show that the Assembly is not a rubber stamp but one that has added value to the original proposal,’’ the governor said insisting that the quick passage of the budget would enable his administration commence infrastructure development, especially road construction in 2013.
“With the passage, the executive will have no excuse not to commence work in earnest in 2013.
“And the challenge for us now, is to be a little more aggressive to realise the revenue projection aspect of the budget,” Mr Oshiomhole said.
Aside the federal allocation, the governor explained that the state government should be able to improve its local revenue generation profile through the land use charge.
He promised the House leadership that his administration would not disappoint the people as government would intervene in all sectors of the economy.
“After four years, we will now work at a faster pace to achieve greater level of efficiency and cut that level of wastages for the people to get quality value for their money,’’ he said.
