From Linus Effiong, Umuahia
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assented to the revised Abia State 2020 Appropriation Bill of One Hundred and Two Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Four Naira Only recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
Speaking after assenting to the revised budget during the event which also coincided with the welcome visit to the Governor by the members of the House at Government House Umuahia, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu thanked members of the House for judiciously passing the revised Budget in a record time which has put Abia on the list of states in the country that have met that global standard.
The Governor said that Abia today is like other states across the federation facing economic stress, adding that the present economic reality calls for all hands to be on deck in securing the socio-economic future of the state.
Governor Ikpeazu who was full of appreciation to members of the seventh Abia House under Chief Chinedum Orji for being partners in progress with the Executive arm, noted that such healthy relationship accounts for why Abia is still the most peaceful and politically stable State in Nigeria.
The Governor further said that the Covid 19 pandemic is a pointer that sickness is a universal Phenomenon, insisting that the virus is real and can be avoided if necessary safety measures are complied with .
Speaking earlier, the Speaker of Abia House of Assembly Rt Hon. Chinedum Orji thanked God for His divine healing on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and prayed God to keep upholding the Governor in the years ahead.
The Speaker used the forum to inform the Governor that the 7th Abia House of Assembly will be embarking on on a short recess and restated the commitment of the House to keep providing the legislative leverage upon which the State will continue to advance.
The Speaker also presented to the Governor, three other Bills passed by the House for his review and assent.
Deputy Governor Sir Ude Oko Chukwu , the Secretary to Government, Barrister Chris Ezem, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr ACB Agbazuere ,the Executive Secretary Abia State Planning Commission Dr Nnenna Chikezie among others were present at the event.
