The governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo says penny exchanged hands before approving his request to borrow the sum of N100 billion.

He said members of Assembly did their work with integrity unlike in some climes where similar requests are “fraught with under-hand dealings”.

He revealed this after signing the revised 2022 budget of Anambra State, amidst criticisms by some Nigerians and Anambra Citizens who had queried his economic policies.

“In a world where this kind of process is fraught with under-hand dealings, I can beat my chest to say the Honourable Members of the House of Assembly did their work with integrity.

“Not a penny exchanged hands for inducement or any such thing. Indeed, this is the sign of a new way of approaching governance that we are excited to mainstream”, he said.

The former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria who expressed gratitude to the Legislature for a strong partnership, which of course is a fundamental pillar of our quest for good governance.

The Governor assured that the 100 billion out of the N250 billion loan earlier proposed, would rollover to next year’s budget, and promised to prioritise payment of wage bill, back log of pensions and gratuity arrears, including those of Local Government workers in the State.

“Out of the 250 billion required per annum to fill our critical infrastructure gap, we have settled for 100 billion which we hope to rollover to next year’s budget”, he said.

“On the budget financing, I am also very happy that the House has graciously approved our request to borrow a 100 billion naira. I understand, in the short-term, the people cannot wait. Which is why as part of our financing plan, we have moved to borrowing. Out of the 250 billion required per annum to fill our critical infrastructure gap, we have settled for 100 billion which we hope to rollover to next year’s budget.

“For every kobo of this borrowing, we will channel it to meeting our critical infrastructure needs. We have chosen a multi-strategy approach, first is bringing prudence to public expenditure, boycott all unnecessary spendings and ratchet up our internally generated revenue.

“We are also cleaning our wage bill, increasing focus on paying off the back log of pensions and gratuity arrears, including those of Local Government workers.

“The journey towards a liveable and prosperous homeland has only begun. Ndị Anambra will get value for every kobo of this budget. With a state of emergency on our public finances, we are determined to take painful, but necessary steps to rebuild our homeland”,Soludo said.

Recall that Soludo recently reviews the taxation policy of his government with a view to give it a sense of direction and weed-out touts, minimize losses and corruption.

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