Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has given assent to the 2022 Appropriation Law with a total outlay of N586.9 billion.

The budget, christened, ‘Redefining Standards’, was passed by the State House of Assembly on Thursday, December 2, 2021.

In a statement obtained from the government house media unit, the 2022 budget has an increase of N4.766 billion, representing 0.8%, from the initial estimate of N582.115 billion of 2021.

The Appropriation Act’s size covers N261.963 billion of recurrent and N324.918 billion of capital expenditures.

While giving assent to the law in an expanded Executive Council meeting, the governor lauded the State House of Assembly, Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, Accountant General and other government agencies involved in the budgetary process for its timely passage, expressing hope that funds will be available for optimum implementation.

The Governor said it became expedient to sign the bill early enough in the week to allow for smooth winding down of the year 2021 and take-off 2022, considering nearness to Christmas, the accompanying holidays and envisaged reduced productivity of the State’s predominantly Christian workforce.

He, therefore, directed the State Accountant General, Pastor Andrew Essien to ensure payment of salaries and pension of public servants and retirees in the state on or before Thursday, 23th 2021, to support their Yuletide celebration.

“I have given an order to the Accountant General to try and pay Civil Servants’ salaries almost immediately.

“We are a Christian State, whether Federal Government gives us money or not, we must look for money anywhere to make sure that our people hold their Christmas.

”We need at least N10 billion to be able to pay salaries and pensioners must also be paid.

“It has to be done between now and Thursday because Friday is Christmas eve”.

Also at the expanded Executive Council, Governor Emmanuel was formally presented with the recent Cleanest State Award trophy won by the state.

The Governor commended the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Prince Ikim for making the state proud, tasking the agency to brace up for greater exploits in coming years.