Senator Abe berates Rivers Assembly for quick passage of 2017 budget passage
Senator Magnus Abe, the Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, has condemned the hurried passage of the Rivers’ 2017 budget. He described the budget presented by Gov. Nyesom Wike and passed by the state legislature “as too hasty.”
Senator Abe was speaking at a reception organized in his honour by the people of Kono community in Khana Local Government Area on Friday.
He said that the ruling party ensured that the 2017 budget was passed before deciding to swear in the APC legislators, pointing out that it was wrong and unacceptable in a democracy.
He remarked that the absence of some lawmakers during the budget presentation to the House of Assembly attested to the manner the budget was prepared. He stated: “A budget is expected to be discussed by representatives of the various local government areas to ensure equal opportunities for the economic interest of all.
“The governor would have waited for the swearing-in of all the elected lawmakers to enable every part of the state have a voice in the economic plan of the state. If the budget is hastily presented and subsequently passed into law without involvement of all the lawmakers, then its aim is defeated.”
Abe charged the people of Kono to embrace the spirit of brotherhood to enhance the economic growth and political stability of the constituency.
He said that the Ogoni are standing tall to the envy of other ethnic groups in the state for voting for APC notwithstanding their partisan and religious differences.
Abe enjoined the Ogoni to avoid anything that would cause them to have a misunderstanding among themselves in order not to allow their detractors to have their way.
He said that he had heard Gov. Nyesom Wike urging Ikwerre people to unite; pointing out that the Ogoni should do the same as such unity was the best for them now than ever.
Speaking in pidgin English, he said; “We will not quarrel with any of our brother. I hear say Gov. Wike say make Ikwerre people no quarrel among themselves. I come talk say ok, make Ikwerre people no quarrel but other people fit quarrel. I say Ogoni people too we no go quarrel. All those my brothers wey go for radio last week, Fred Kpakol, Kenneth Kobani, I no go quarrel with them because the day of election them no do anything wey bad so I will not quarrel with them. I know for my brother Fred, who has been suspended how many times, if him wan quarrel with me, dem fit sack am, so, I no go quarrel with am. What people don’t know is that blood is thicker than water”.
He said that he chose to travel by road to be in Kono community because of series of cancellation of flights to enable him be present at the occasion, pointing out that nothing would ever stop him to join the teaming number of Ogoni people who had been celebrating since his victory on December 10.
The former Secretary to Rivers State Government said that the Christmas holidays had offered his people a veritable opportunity to celebrate the victory, adding that the Ogoni will keep to the tradition of Rivers people to be at the centre.
