Delta won’t borrow to execute 2025 budget – Commissioner

The Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Fidelis Tilije, has said that the state government has no intention of borrowing to fund the state’s over N900 billion proposed 2025 budget.

The commissioner told South-South PUNCH on Monday at the state House of Assembly Complex in Asaba, shortly after the ministry appeared before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation to defend its 2025 budget proposals.

Tilije stated that with prudent management of the state’s resources and with a focus on improving the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, vis-a-vis the non-oil sector, there would be no need to borrow in the coming fiscal year, which would in turn boost the state’s debt profile.

He said, “In 2025, Delta will experience all-around development in pursuance of the MORE Agenda as there would be major economic variables that would drive the system.

“Some sectors of the economy like agriculture, health, and education amongst others, would receive full beam light come 2025.

“We would do more in the area of agriculture. There is no reason why each local government area in the state cannot have at least one farm settlement. The establishment of farm settlements would checkmate the issues of insecurity in our farms as security would be easily coordinated at the settlements.”

The 2024 budget performance document released by the ministry revealed that for capital expenditure, the state acquired 8 per cent equity in the UTM Floating Liquified Natural Gas project in 2023. The actual capital in 2024 was not as high as the state had yet to undertake any major direct investment.

He, however, pledged to work towards undertaking direct investment come 2025 and continue to sustain the gains of the State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme and the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms.

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