Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo on Wednesday, resumed duties few days after the burial of his father, Late Pa Simeon, with the signing of the 2024 Appropriation Bill into Law.
By this, the state government is now empowered to the implement its provisions in the 2024 fiscal year.
Recall that Governor Soludo had on November 21, 2023, presented a budget proposal of N410, 132, 225, 272 for the 2024 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.
The budget titled “Changing Gears”, is 57.8% higher than that of the 2023 budget.
It is focused on expediting efforts across the five (5) pillars of the Soludo Administration; which include infrastructure and Economic transformation; Security, law and order; governance and value system; the environment; Social Agenda and human capital development.
Performing the function, Governor Soludo thanked all stakeholders who have been involved in the entire process, pointing out that the Anambra State House of Assembly worked very hard to see that the Law meets the needs and aspirations of Ndi Anambra.
The Governor stated that with the budget now signed into law, the all round transformation of the state will now begin in earnest.
“This year, we set a record. A draft budget was sent to the House of Assembly early last month, and today, it’s been passed into law.
“This speed and efficiency demonstrates the commitment of both the executive and legislative arms of government to moving Anambra forward,” Governor Soludo stated.
Governor Soludo assured that armed with the budget, the real transformation will begin across Anambra from January.
In a similar vein, Governor Soludo signed the document repealing the Anambra State Publishing and Newspaper Printing Corporation.
By the law, the governor has finally shut down the longest existing state newspaper in the country, National Light.
The earlier announcement in the year by the governor, of his intention to shut down the facility, had generated criticisms, followed by several negotiations from various professional bodies to get the governor to change his mind.
But while putting a final nail on the establishment’s coffin yesterday, Soludo explained that the action was to curb wastage, as the newspaper company was only taking from government and unable to fund itself.
He said: “Today, I signed the document repealing the Anambra State Publishing and Newspaper Printing Corporation. This is part of our efforts at reducing government spendings and cutting cost in the face of dwindling revenues.
“We shall continue to work hard to make Anambra win!”
