Delta gov presents N936bn 2025 budget to Assembly

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday presented the 2025 appropriation bill of N936 billion to the State House of Assembly.

He assured that the budget would cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on the people.

Oborevwori stated that the budget christened the ‘Budget of Fiscal Consolidation,’ comprises recurrent expenditure of N348 billion, representing 37.25 per cent, and capital expenditure of N587 billion, representing 62.75 per cent of the total budget.

He noted that the 2025 budget is N211 billion more than the 2024 approved sum of N725 billion, indicating an increase of 29%.

The governor attributed the increase to the realignment of the exchange rate, which resulted in higher FAAC allocations and associated revenues.

He said, “This is in addition to a corresponding improvement in our Internally Generated Revenues during the year.

“The 2025 budget contains several initiatives planned to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on our people and all the attendant economic challenges it has brought upon us.

“These include deliberate provisions to strengthen our social protection interventions and safety nets, basic rural infrastructure, agriculture and food security, the agro value chain, and MSMEs.

“The 2025 Budget focuses on continued provision of physical infrastructure, human capital development, job creation, wealth creation, and poverty reduction in our dear state.

“The state government intends to achieve these through prudent management of our resources and prioritising expenditures on health, education, agriculture, water resources, environment, housing, as well as women and youth empowerment programmes.

“In 2025, we propose to spend N230 billion on Road Infrastructure; N67.42 billion on Education; N30.55 billion on Health; N11.03 billion on Water Resources; and N7 billion on Agriculture.”

Oborevwori appealed for the speedy passage of the appropriation bill by the lawmakers.

In his remarks, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, stated that the state had witnessed unprecedented development due to the governor’s pragmatic style of governance.

He commended the governor for continuing and completing inherited projects from the previous administration.

He lauded the governor for his fiscal discipline and for ensuring value for money, epitomised by returning over N500 million to the state coffers while serving as Speaker, and saving over N14 billion for Local Government Councils across the state.

The speaker urged all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government to cooperate with the Committees of the House during the budget defence sessions to ensure seamless consideration and timely passage of the budget.

A motion for the adoption of the budget was moved by House Majority Leader, Mr Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Member Representing Ika North East Constituency, Marilyn Okowa-Daramola.