Delta State Proposes N936 Billion Budget For 2025, Seeks House Of Assembly Approval

The Delta State Government has reportedly approved the submission of a proposed N936 billion budget for 2025 financial year to the state's House of Assembly for review and approval.

Speaking at the State Executive Council meeting, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the Government House in the state capital, Asaba, the Commissioner for Economic Planning Sonny Ekedayen explained from the proposed budget of N587.4 billion, N348.7 billion (37.25%) was allocated for Recurrent Expenditure while the remaining N238.7 billion (62.75%) was designated for Capital Expenditure, Premium Times reported.

Ekedayen was accompanied by Commissioner for Information Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, Commissioner for Works, Rural and Riverine Roads Charles Aniagwu and Commissioner for Riverine Infrastructure Ebikeme Clark along with other officials.

He said the proposed budget was based on an exchange rate of N1,300 per dollar.

According to the commissioner, this budget balances both recurrent and capital expenditures. The 2025 proposed budget was 29.12% larger than the 2024 budget, showing the commitment to the state's development.

The main focus areas include agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME), youth empowerment, tourism, entertainment, poverty alleviation through social safety nets, physical infrastructure, healthcare and education.

He mentioned that the Oborevwori administration was focused on transparency and accountability, and the 2025 budget will be fully funded without any borrowing.

A large part of the funding will come from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), with internally generated revenue as the secondary source. He added that the expected internally generated revenue will be at least N140 billion.

For the 2025 projects, the funding will mainly come from a combination of FAAC allocations and internally generated revenue.

Information Commissioner Osuoza said that the council approved several important projects aimed at benefiting communities across the state. He mentioned that with the second anniversary approaching, the council stressed the importance of planning for the future.

As a result, all Ministry heads, Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries have been instructed to closely monitor their projects and ensure they meet high standards, noting that there will be no tolerance for substandard or unfinished work.

In July, the Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu said that N3 trillion of the additional funding in the 2024 budget was allocated for the new minimum wage, while defending the N6.2 trillion extra budget funding to the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.