By Evelyn Affia
The Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties, Mr. Akan Okon, has appealed for additional funds for 2017 Budget appropriated for his ministry, noting that it will be very difficult to complete the ongoing special projects in the State, if his request is not granted.
Mr Okon made the appeal on Thursday, 19th, January, 2017, while appearing before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation and Finance, headed by Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh, to defend the budget of his Ministry.
"The amount alloted to the Ministry of Special Duties is grossly inadequate and by that, it is will be difficult to complete the ongoing special projects in the state "
On the performance of the Ministry in the previous year, he noted that 2016 had been a challenging year because of dwindling economy the country is currently facing; " even at that, the ministry was able to record some good and important projects such as the building of the Secretariat Annex along Udoudoma and the Governor's Lodge, Abuja respectively".
The Commissioner also maintained that the ministry has already started numerous projects in the state which are at 60% completion.
"The construction of the Rapid Taxiway and the second Runway at Ibom International Airport is ongoing, and would be completed within six months, if funds are made available to contractors handling the projects", he said.
He also used the occasion to debunk rumours about the maintenance of Akpabio International Stadium, saying that "So far, some of the Super Eagles and Akwa United matches are played at the Stadium.
In regards to the Four-point by Sheraton Hotels in Ikot Ekpene, the Commissioner stressed that the hotel needs to be fully furnished by his ministry and then would be given out as a way of generating revenue for the state.
"If this is done, we will be able to provide employment for our youths as well as generate revenue for the state", he stated equivocally.
Speaking further, Mr. Okon stressed that some of the buildings at Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat need urgent innovation and renovation, adding that the ministry has set out plans to relocate the Judiciary Guest House and the Police Stations along Wellington Bassey Way to another site and that that requires a lot of funds.
In response, the Chairman of Appropriation and Finance, Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh charged ministries and MDAs to prioritise their plans for the purpose of ensuring the success of the year 2017 proposed budget of their various MDAs.
He noted that the budget proposal is a process that requires the commitment of all hands in achieving its successful implementation, and stressed that it was unhealthy to overblow the budget size with items that had been recurring decimals in terms of implementation.
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