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Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State says his administration has so far accessed more than N40 billion out of the N200 billion facility approved by the State House of Assembly for projects execution.
?Amaechi disclosed this in Calabar on Tuesday, at the opening of a three-day legislative capacity building forum for lawmakers in the State.
He reiterated that no government could survive without borrowing, and that the N40 billion loan was being expended on the construction of more than 200 roads and other developmental projects in the state.
He appealed to the lawmakers to initiate economic bills that would enable the government to run effectively.
Amaechi promised that his administration would ensure that it paid back all the loans it collected from banks so as not to incure debts for the next administration.
“With regards to the recent N200 billion loan that the House approved for projects, we have accessed only N40 billion as I speak with you.
“And I know that you are seeing the impact of the N40 billion that we have taken as loan.
“You would have seen that work have commenced on the Ken Saro Wiwa Road (Stadium Road) and it is almost completed. If we had not applied for that loan, by now we will be struggling with the money that the Federal Government is giving us.
“Out of the N40 billion we have accessed, we have paid back N5 billion. This means that we do not have any intention to leave any loan behind for any incoming administration.
He also said that the state legislature would have to deal with what he called the issue of economics of legislation.
“There is economics of legislation; if a State Assembly does not deal with that aspect it will be difficult to pass economic bill. Part of the responsibilities of assembly is to initiate economic bill that ensures the smooth running of government.
“No government succeeds or survives without loan, but government should be responsible to pay back the loan.
“We have 200 roads under construction and most of them are nearing completion. Now with this loan in our hand, we will focus on the completion.
“We said we would reconstruct 750 primary schools; it is only through this loan that we can do that,'' he said.
Also speaking, Gov.? Liyel Imoke of Cross River said a cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government would translate to the dividends of democracy for the people.
In a remark, the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Otelemaba Amachree, said the business of law-making was a dynamic and challenging process requiring members to be in tune with modern trends in the art of law-making.
“This, in my opinion, is the only way we as legislators, can make laws that will ultimately bring about good and effective governance, thereby improving the lives of our people,” he said.