Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has ratified the 2016 budget estimates of the 31 local government councils in the state.

A total budget size of N95,758,452,000 is approved by the House for the councils.

A breakdown of the budget, which took effect from January 1, 2016, shows total re-current revenue of N88.472 billion and a total re-current expenditure of N46.980 billion as well as a capital receipt/expenditure of N95.758.452 billion.

In a statement made available to News Express by the Media Adviser to the Speaker, Victor John, the House approved the budget on Tuesday, following the submission of report by the House Committee on Appropriations and Finance on the 2016 budget of local government councils.

Submitting the report, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh, said the committee engaged relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, State Budget Office and Chairmen of the 31 local councils in the discharge of the committee’s assignment.

He further explained that the necessary scrutiny was done on the budget estimate of the 31 local government councils, and that his committee was satisfied, and urged the House to approve the budget.

Responding, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke thanked House members for their painstaking effort in ensuring that the third tier of government operates effectively.

He further commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his managerial ability and supervisory role in seeing to the optimal performance of the local government system.