The 2014 budget presentation of the Port Harcourt City Council last Thursday suffered a little set back as the Mayor, Hon. Chimbiko Akaralo made a U-turn on his way to legislative chambers as all the councilors wore unpleasant looks, caring canes to teach the Mayor some lessons of his life on arrival at the chambers.
Noticing the mood of the councilors the Mayor could not hesitate to draw closer rather detailed his deputy, Hon. Nancy Stephen whose relationship with the councilors is still rosy to present the budget.
Amidst noisy session, a budget of over six billion naira was presented by Phalga Deputy Mayor Hon. Stephen.
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction to the budget estimate a member of House Committee on Finance and Budget and a councilor representing Phalga Ward 6, Hon. Peter Arimie had observed with dismay the non-contribution of the House Committee on Finance and Budget but was surprised to have noticed the House estimate on the council’s 2014 budget as presented by the Deputy Mayor.
The situation which did not augur well with the lawmakers triggered another tension in the chambers but for the prompt intervention of the clerk of the House, Mr. Paggo who advised the lawmakers to concentrate and carry out their oversight functions properly to bring about sanity in the council.
The councilors noted that the last two years budgets were not satisfactorily explained to the benefits of the citizenry hence there is need for critical scrutinization of the belated budget at plenary during next sitting.
The leader of the House, Hon. David Ikechukwu Amadi and Councilor representing Phalga Ward 3 for obvious reasons could not face his angry colleagues as he was also a target in the dirty plans against the Mayor.
In another development, the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Stephen has solicited for the approval of the Legislative House for automatic employment for the winner of Miss Port Harcourt Centenary Celebration, Miss Theodora Kelechi Atako who was in the council on a courtesy visit.
The Newswriter gathered that deliberations on the 2014 budget estimate may begin on Thursday.
It would be recalled that this publication had reported issues relating to the said Phalga budget and how charged the atmosphere was in its anticipation.
The Newswriter political desk would keep its numerous readers alive of developments in Phalga as the clock ticks fast for the end of the current administration. ###
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