HOUSE COMMITTEE ADOPTS MCET BUDGET PRESENTATION STANDARD FOR FUTURE USE, AWARDS HEAD PRS, ROSE ODINAMKPA

By Ifeyinwa Ogwo :

The Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, led by the Chairman, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu has officially adopted the budget presentation standards of the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism (MCET) for future use. The committee also approved the capital estimates proposed by the ministry to ensure optimal service delivery.

Additionally, Mrs Rose Odinamkpa, the Head of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), was awarded a cash sum of N10,000 for her exceptional work in the preparation and detail of the budget.

These motions were proposed by Hon. Noble Igwe, the House Member representing Ogbaru I constituency and seconded by Hon. Fred Ezenwa, representing Onitsha South I constituency, during the budget defense session at the Anambra State House of Assembly Complex in Awka.

The Chairman, Hon. Okechukwu commended the Commissioner, Mr . Don Onyenji, for following their directives on how to outline the budget. He remarked, “During your last budget defense, we emphasized the need for every procedure to be detailed. I am pleased to see that you adhered to those guidelines and delivered an outstanding budget presentation”.

He encouraged the Commissioner to maintain a cordial relationship with the Chairman of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism to foster good synergy between them.

Hon. Mbachu Nigeria, representing Awka South I constituency and also the Chairman of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism, also expressed his appreciation to the Chairman for his commendable work. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that all processes follow due procedure.

In his vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, expressed gratitude to the House Committee for their fair treatment of the Ministry. He thanked them for adopting the Ministry’s budget standards for future use and for recognizing the Head of PRS for her outstanding performance.

He assured the House that the Ministry would fulfil the mandates outlined in the budget, which focuses on developing heritage sites in the state to enhance tourism, noting that it is a major attraction for this government, as leisure promotes longevity. He told the House Members that they would be notified of the Ministry activities. Then, he appealed to them to guide the Ministry when they make mistakes.

The Head of the PRS department, MCET, Mrs Odinamkpa, expressed her gratitude to God Almighty and the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for recognizing her work as exceptional and rewarding her for it.

She said, “It was like a dream when I was commended by the House Committee for my work and called to receive a cash sum of N10,000. I had never expected this, especially considering the challenges I faced during the preparation of the budget.”

*Ifeyinwa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.