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Tag: 2025 Budget

  • Gov Mbah presents Enugu’s 2025 budget

    Gov Mbah presents Enugu’s 2025 budget

    Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has presented 2025 budget of N971.84 billion to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

    Mbah presented the budget tagged, “Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity” on Tuesday at the Legislative complex in Enugu.

    He said that his administration sought to lay a right foundation to enhance economy growth of the state.

    Mbah said that the 2025 budget estimate was over N450 billion higher than 2024 budget of N521.5 billion, representing 86.4 per cent increase.

    He pointed out that the budget was in line with his administration’s vision to grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, which he noted was achievable.

    Giving the breakdown of the budget, the governor revealed that N133.1 billion of the budget would go into recurrent expenditures while N837.9 billion would be spent on capital expenditures.

    On the sectorial budget, he said that N320.6 billion of the budget would go into education; N260 billion to Works and Infrastructure;N82 billion to Agriculture; N45 billion to Health while Sports sector would get N13 billion.

    He said that the capital budget would be channeled to the completion of 260 smart schools, ultra-modern hospitals,first phase of New Enugu City, dualisation of Abakpa-Opi Nsukka road, and upgrade of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

    According to Mbah, the four bus terminals at the Holy Ghost, Abakpa, Garriki and Nsukka would be commissioned on Dec. 22, while the state-owned airline, Enugu Air, would be launched in few weeks from now.

    On the review on the 2024 budget, the governor disclosed that as of October, the current budget had achieved 88.6 per cent, which he said was a big achievement to his administration.

    He added that the state generated N107bn internal revenue, which he maintained was expected to grow to over N500 billion and gave the assurance that no part of the state would be left out.

    Receiving the budget, the Speaker of the House, Chief Uche Ugwu said that the House would start the process of passing the appropriation bill in record time.

    Ugwu urged heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to come for their budget defence for more clarity on their budget estimates.

  • Gov Eno presents N955bn budget proposal for 2025

    Gov Eno presents N955bn budget proposal for 2025

    Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday presented a budget proposal of N955 billion for 2025 before the State House of Assembly.

    The 2025 proposal comprises of a recurrent expenditure of N300 billion and capital expenditure of N655 billion.

    Speaking during the budget presentation, Eno said that the total capital receipts and expenditure for 2025 stood at N655 billion as against the proposed provision of N573.32 billion for 2024.

    He said that the 2025 Budget, christened: “Budget for Consolidation and Expansion” was predicated upon an oil benchmark of 75.00 dollars per barrel at a production rate of 2.12 million barrels per day.

    Eno said that the 2025 oil benchmark was pegged at an estimated exchange rate of N1,400 per dollar, which fell in line with the national budget benchmark projections.

    The governor further said that the total projected recurrent revenue for 2025 was estimated at N830 billion as against the proposed provision of N803.70 billion for 2024.

    The governor further said the policy thrust of the 2025 budget was to achieve food security through massive investment in agriculture.

    Eno listed other objectives of the budget to include, rural development, educational growth, citizen’s welfare and security.

    He said that the state government would ensure effective performance and fiscal discipline in order to achieve the objectives of the 2025 budget.

    “We shall also provide appropriate incentives to attract private investment in the agriculture sector.

    “We shall create jobs by strengthening micro and small-scale enterprise, and shall support them through working capital, grants and loans,” he said.

    Eno said that investment in super infrastructure such as the Ibom Towers, roads, sports, tourism, housing and aviation would be given priority attention.

    The governor said that the state would work to achieve nothing lower than 20 per cent increase in Internally Generated Revenue.

    “We target to achieve this by eliminating evasion in payment, wastage and leakages in collection and expenditure,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Speaker of the assembly, Mr Udeme Otong, assured the governor that the assembly would expedite the passage of the appropriation bill.

    Otong urged all heads of ministries, departments and agencies in the state to cooperate with the assembly during the budget defense to ensure speedy passage.

  • Why Tinubu will not present 2025 budget today

    Why Tinubu will not present 2025 budget today

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly (NASS) today as the NASS was yet to approve the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Bullah Bi-Allah, the Director of Information, Secretary,  Research and Information (SR&I) at NASS to have said the MTEF approval would come before the official presentation of the 2025 budget.

    Even, President Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday to begin a state visit to France in honour of an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron.

    Speaking on the approval of MTEF, Bi-Allah said the news credited to him that President Tinubu will present the 2025 budget today was fake, baseless, and unfounded, urging the public to disregad it.

    Bi-Allah said this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday following the news making the round that the president was billed to present the budget on Wednesday, November 27. He said such news credited to him was fake, baseless, and unfounded, urging the public to disregad it.

    He said: “The attention of the Secretary, Research and Information (SR&I), National Assembly, Dr Ali Barde Umoru, has been drawn to the purported fake news credited to him.”

    He added that the news alleged that “His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, will tomorrow Wednesday present the 2925 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly.”

    According to him, the news circulating on both social and mainstream media and other outlets is false and should be disregarded.

    “The secretary advised that any official inquiry and clarification should follow the official communication channels of the National Assembly.”

    He said that NASS was yet to approve the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper, forwarded to both chambers of the National Assembly by Tinubu.

    He clarified that the MTEF approval would come before the official presentation of the 2025 budget.

    He said: “In view of the above, the SR&I warns peddlers of such information to desist forthwith from using his office to mislead members of the public.”

  • BREAKING: Gov Oborevwori set to sign Delta 2025 budget into law

    BREAKING: Gov Oborevwori set to sign Delta 2025 budget into law

    Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is set to sign the State 2025 Appropriation Bill, being the State’s 2025 budget, into law.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this follows passage of the N979.2 billion 2025 Appropriation Bill by the Delta State House of Assembly on Tuesday.

    The budget passed at plenary, was sequel to a report by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mrs Marilyn Okowa-Daramola.

    Presenting the committee’s report, Okowa-Daramola noted that out of the amount, N348.7 billion was for Recurrent Expenditure, while the N630.4 billion was for Capital Expenditure.

    She said that the amount showed an increase of N43.2 billion compared to N936 billion Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori earlier presented to the Assembly.

    ”The committee also recommended that the Capital Expenditure estimate of N587.3 billion be amended to read N630.4 billion.

    “This represents an increase of N43.1 billion or 7.34 per cent increase over the proposed Capital Expenditure budget,” she said.

    Okowa-Daramola added that the committee recommended that the total amended budget size would now be N979.2 billion from the N936 billion presented by the governor.

    She also recommended that the 2025 Appropriation bill should be monitored for effective implementation.

    The committee chairman said that the 2025 budget was presented in line with global best practices.

    According to her, the budgetary estimates reflect the goals of the ‘MORE Agenda’s of the state governor.

    The report of the committee was unanimously adopted at the Committee of Supply, Chaired by the Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor.

    Consequently, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Emeka Nwaobi, moved a motion for the third reading and passage of the bill.

    The Minority Leader, Mr Edafe Emakpor (APC-Uvwie) seconded the motion when put to a voice vote by the Speaker.

    The Speaker commended the lawmakers for their commitments to the early passage of the appropriation bill.

    Meanwhile, Governor Oborevwori is yet to announce a date to sign the Delta State 2025 appropriation bill into law.

  • Tinubu’s Ministers, FIRS Chairman, others struggle to defend borrowing plan

    Tinubu’s Ministers, FIRS Chairman, others struggle to defend borrowing plan

    Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, has defended the Federal Government’s loan request, saying it is a component of the Appropriation Act approved by the National Assembly.

    Adedeji defended the Federal Government’s loan request on Monday in Abuja at an interactive session on 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for revenue generating agencies. The interactive session was organised by the National Assembly Joint Committees on Finance, National Planning and Economic Affairs.

    Adedeji was responding to a question by Sen. Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi) on what the federal government was doing with the excess revenue generated by the various agencies in view of its unending requests for foreign loan approvals. Adedeji said that the loans sought for by the executive were already part of the appropriation act.

    “Borrowing is part of what had been approved by the national assembly for the federal government, meaning that the executive borrows based on the approval of the legislature. The fact that we meet revenue targets and even surpassed them as revenue generating agencies does not mean that the borrowing component of the appropriation law passed by the national assembly should not be activated,” he said.

    The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, also said that the borrowing plans contained in the N35.5 trillion 2024 budget were primarily meant to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit.

    “Despite the revenue targets surpassed by some of the revenue-generating agencies, government still needs to borrow for proper funding of the budget, particularly in the areas of deficit and productivity for the poorest and the most vulnerable. We have a long term development plan agenda 2050 aiming at GDP per capital of 33,000 dollars,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, said borrowing was still needed for proper funding of the budget in spite of increased revenue generation by some agencies. Edun expressed optimism about the country’s economic future, citing a strategic budget for 2025.

    According to him, Nigeria has changed fundamentally under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, as he took over during difficult economic times and made key decisions to reset the economy. Edun also emphasised the importance of market pricing of petroleum products and foreign exchange, which, he said, had sent right signals to investors.

    The revenue-generating agencies had, earlier in their separate presentations on the 2024 budget performance and revenue projections for the N49.7 trillion 2025 budget, reported excess revenue target for the 2024 fiscal year.

    The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Bashir Adeniyi, said as at Sept, 30, the service had generated N5.352 trillion revenue, which was above N5.09 trillion targetted for the current fiscal year.

    He said that N6.3 trillion was projected as revenue for 2025, adding that 10 per cent increase of the 2025 target would be the revenue target for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.

    The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Mele Kyari, said that the company had exceeded the N12.3 trillion revenue projected for 2024, having generated N13.1 trillion.

    “For the 2025 fiscal year, N23.7 trillion is projected by NNPCL to be remitted into the federation account,” he said.

    The FIRS Chairman, in his presentation, said organisation had also surpassed the targetted revenues across the various tax components.

    “Company Income Tax of N4 trillion was targeted but N5.7 trillion has been realised now. On Education Tax, N70 billion was targetted, while a total of N1.5 trillion has been realised.

    “In all, out of the N19.4 trillion targetted for the 2024 fiscal year, N18.5 trillion has been attained as at the end of September, which clearly shows that the target will be far exceeded by the end of the year,” Adedeji said.

    However, Chairman of the Joint Committee, Sen. Sani Musa (APC-Niger), spoke about the inability of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to clarify its revenue performance.

    Musa, who was particular about the public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement between NIS and a private firm on passport productions, urged the organisation to re-appear before the committee.

  • Lawmaker raises concerns over Lagos 2025 budget

    Lawmaker raises concerns over Lagos 2025 budget

    The 2025 Appropriation Bill of N3.005 trillion presented by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has scaled the second reading at the state’s House of Assembly.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Lagos 2025 budget bill scaled second reading on Monday during plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, at the Assembly’s complex in Ikeja.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu had earlier told the lawmakers at the budget presentation on Thursday that the budget aims to achieve a 59 per cent capital expenditure and 41 per cent recurrent expenditure ratio.

    The Governor added that this is with deficit financing to be sourced through external and internal loans and bonds.

    Obasa, after an extensive debate on the bill, committed it to a joint committee on appropriation and finance for review with a mandate to report back in one month.

    Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Sa’ad Olumoh, provided an overview of the proposed spending with a breakdown of items in the estimate.

    Olumoh, however, raised concerns over the projection of N408 billion deficit financing through loan in the budget.

    He said: “Loans are good when used for the actual purposes and we have to be cautious about it. We need to have a sustainable and pragmatic way of financing our budget so that we don’t rely solely on loans.

    “So, I would suggest that we look at a realistic budget and ways to finance it using alternatives like the Public Private Partnership models. I also want to implore my colleagues that for the purpose of the 2025 budget, we need to properly scrutinise it to prevent wastage.”

    The chairman commended the government for its intentions as stipulated in the budget estimate.

    Speaking, the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Adedamola Kasumu (Ikeja II), called for a careful review of the budget to enable comparative analysis and feasibility.

    Also, Mr Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa II) noted the absence of allocations for electricity infrastructure and climate change initiatives while suggesting a five-year retrospective analysis of deficit funding.

    His colleague, Mr Femi Saheed (Kosofe II), stressed the importance of linking borrowing to critical infrastructure like electricity while ensuring revenue efficiency and addressing potential financial leakages.

    On his part, Mr Desmond Elliot (Surulere I) highlighted the omission of food security measures in the proposal while urging the inclusion of initiatives to meet citizens’ needs.

  • Passage of Lagos 2025 budget will not delay – Speaker Obasa

    Passage of Lagos 2025 budget will not delay – Speaker Obasa

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, says the lawmakers will not delay the passage of the 2025 budget estimate of N3.005 trillion.

    Obasa gave the assurance shortly after Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented the 2025 budget estimate to the assembly in Ikeja on Thursday.

    The budget is titled: ‘Budget of Sustainability’, comprises of total revenue of N2.60 trillion and a deficit financing of N408.92 billion.

    Obasa said the lawmakers would commence work on the budget in earnest to ensure speedy passage in the interest of the state.

    “As we hope that the 2025 Budget will be of great benefit to the people of Lagos State. We, however, appeal to the governor and the people of the state to give us sufficient time to enable the House do a thorough job on a financial document that has great influence on the lives of the people.

    “Also, the Assembly will not delay the passage of the budget. But we will be interested in placing a high premium on the need to ensure that the interests of the people of the state are protected, socio-economically and politically.

    “We are your representatives here at the House of Assembly, and we are duty bound to do justice to every sector of the state’s economy,” he said.

    Obasa noted that the budget was coming at a time when the people of the state were facing the reality of daunting economic challenges.

    “We recognise the current economic upheaval, but we are confident that our strategic plans will stimulate growth, attract investments, and improve the standard of living for all the residents,” he said.

    Obasa noted that the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu was focused on the futuristic plan for the nation’s economic recovery.

    According to him, the economic recovery is, indeed, certain and realisable. As such, the speaker appealed to the people to keep hope alive, adding that there was, no doubt, a light at the end of the tunnel.

    The budget is made up of a recurrent expenditure of N1.239 trillion, 41 per cent, and capital expenditure of N1.766 trillion, 59 per cent. The budget, according to Sanwo-Olu, will be sourced from a total revenue of N1.97 trillion and total Federal transfers of N626 billion.

  • Gov Sanwo-Olu releases details of Lagos N3trn 2025 budget

    Gov Sanwo-Olu releases details of Lagos N3trn 2025 budget

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has presented N3.01 trillion budget to the State House of Assembly for 2025. The budget tagged “The Budget of Sustainability” was presented on Thursday.

    “This budget comprises a total revenue of N2,597,034,000,000  and a deficit financing of about N408,002,000,000.

    “The total revenue comprises internal revenue  at N1,107,897,000,000 and a total tax cut of N660,137,000,000. We have proposed a recurrent expenditure of N1,239,818,000,000.

    “The total overhead cost is N722.586 billion, as follows: overhead: N432.580 billion, subventions: N139.728 billion, dedicated funds: N150.278 billion, total personnel cost: N392.000 billion, recurrent debt charges: N125.232 billion,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu further gave figures for capital expenditure.

    “For capital expenditure, we propose a total figure of N1. 77 trillion, as follows: capital expenditure: N1.45 trillion, Repayments: N313.52 billion,” he said.

    The governor  highlighted sectoral allocation to include economic affairs – N908.7 billion, environment – N233.176 billion, health – 204.005 billion, education – 208.376 billion, and security, Safety and Public Order – 124.073 billion.

    Sanwo-Olu said  that N47.077 billion was allocated to social protection.

    The governor  said that the budget would focus on five pillars – infrastructure sustainability, economic diversification, social inclusion and human capital development, environmental sustainability, and governance and institutional reforms.

    “Infrastructure sustainability is the backbone of any development agenda. A greater Lagos ambition will emerge on the back of high-quality infrastructure that keeps pace with growing population.

    “Our focus, therefore, is on ensuring the durability,  the functionality and the adaptability of our fiscal assets  to meet the ever-growing demands of our people.

    “In the coming three-year period, we will be prioritising the maintenance, upgrading,  and expansion of the existing road network,” he said.

    On economic development,  he said that Lagos State would reduce reliance on a single sector to be able to secure a resilient economy.

    The Speaker of the assembly,  Mr Mudashiru Obasa, reiterated the assembly’s support for the Sanwo-Olu-led administration.

    He said that the assembly would reconvene on Nov. 29 to look into the budget proposal.

  • 2025 budget: Gov Oborevwori to spend N50bn on roads in 25 LGAs

    2025 budget: Gov Oborevwori to spend N50bn on roads in 25 LGAs

    Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has proposed the sum of N50 billion in the state’s 2025 budget estimates to enhance road infrastructure in the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.

    The State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this during a budget defence meeting with the Assembly Committee on Works and Special Projects on Wednesday in Asaba.

    Aniagwu said the provision was a deliberate effort by the Governor to spread projects evenly across the 25 local government areas of the state.

    He said: ”It is worthy of note to mention that the ministry in the exercise of the ‘MORE Agenda’ made deliberate effort to spread projects across the 25 LGAs to the tune of N50 billion in the 2025 budget estimates.”

    He said his ministry was created from the main Works ministry and charged with the responsibility of formulating policies within the corridor of civil engineering works in the rural and riverine communities and other areas as designated in the state.

    Aniagwu, who also stood in for the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Mr Reuben Izeze, presently on vacation, said that his ministry would focus on the completion of ongoing projects and major projects that would impact on the various communities.

    He also restated the determination of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori to build rural roads that would help to improve the living standard of the people.

    He recalled that the governor promised during the campaign to complete all the projects he inherited and also initiate new ones.

    ”The governor is interested in building all the rural roads for our people who live in rural communities. He’s also desirous of continuing with the ongoing projects as well as initiate new ones,” he said.

    The commissioner also said that the State Government was reviewing the cost of some projects in order to meet with the present economic reality occasioned by increased prices of materials.

    “One novel thing the governor has done is that almost 100 per cent of the projects we are awarding now, he has been able to transparently provide for the mobilisations of the contractors.

    “The reason we are doing this is that we don’t want any contractor to tell us that he is seeking for funds.

    “This will help us to avoid the incidence of incessant review of contracts on account of fluctuations of the currency,” he also said.

    Aniagwu, however, commended the committee members for their support, saying; “They have even taken out time to go for oversight function just for them to see what we are doing.

    “In 2025, we will interface with the committee more to enable us to deliver more dividend of democracy to our people,” he further said.

    Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Collins Egbetamah, commended the ministry and promised to look into their request.

    The Direct Labour Agency also appeared before the committee for its budget defence.

  • 2025 budget: Delta lawmaker makes case for more funding for urban renewal

    2025 budget: Delta lawmaker makes case for more funding for urban renewal

    Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Urban Renewal, Hon Pereotu Oloye has stressed the need for sustained high budgetary performance in the Ministry of Urban Renewal in the 2025 fiscal year.

    Oloye stated this when the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry, Engr Michael Anoka led other top officials to appear before the House Committee on Urban Renewal to defend its 2025 budget estimates.

    The Lawmaker who represents Burutu 2 Constituency in the House, noted that the Ministry of Urban Renewal is key to the development strides of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as encapsulated in his MORE agenda.

    Flanked by other members of the Committee, Hon Oloye emphasised that efforts should be made to open up the State for more massive infrastructural development as such will attract investments and increase socio-economic vibes across state.

    The Lawmaker paid glowing tributes to Governor Oborevwori for the high budget performance in the Ministry of Urban Renewal in the outgoing 2024 fiscal year and expressed optimism that more will be achieved in the Ministry in 2025.

    He particularly commended the Governor for upgrading Warri, Uvwie and Asaba Capital Territory to Smart cities.

    Hon Oloye said although the 9 billion naira earmarked for the urban renewal projects was inadequate, the Committee would assist the ministry to ensure they get more funds to implement the policies and programmes of the Ministry.

    The Lawmaker urged the ministry to use approved budgetary allocation for the benefit of Deltans, adding that Governor Oborevwori has assured the State government’s readiness to deliver on his promises to the people.

    Hon Oloye commended the Commissioner and his team for their commitment to ensuring that the Ministry performed optimally and encouraged them to maintain good synergy with the Committee.

    Appearing before the Lawmakers, the Urban Renewal Commissioner,  Engr Michael Anoka, FNSE, explained that the Ministry recorded high performance in the outgoing 2024 fiscal year and commended the Governor for the approvals.

    He said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborovwori, for his unwavering support to the Ministry’s effective functioning and prompt considerations whenever called upon.

    “Despite the challenges of 2024, God’s faithfulness has enabled us to perform our duties diligently”.

    Anoka identified challenges faced by the Ministry and called for the support of the Committee in addressing them.

    The Commissioner said the Ministry is committed to building on the progress made so far in line with the development goals of the state government.

    Anoka assured that the ministry will work assiduously to improve the standards of cities and towns in Delta State.

    “The Ministry will no doubt work in line with the State government’s MORE Agenda in ensuring meaningful development in the urban areas of the State”, Anoka stressed.

    Bureau for Special Duties told to enhance 2025 budget performance

    Meanwhile, the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Special Duties has urged the Bureau for Special Duties to perform better in the 2025 fiscal year.

    Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Anthony Alapala gave the advice when the Bureau appeared before the members for its 2025 budget defence at the Assembly complex of the Delta State House of Assembly.

    Reacting to the 9.25% budget performance of the Bureau in the outgoing 2024, the Committee Chairman who represents Burutu 1 Constituency frowned at the claim of not being able to access funds for its operations.

    Flanked by other members of the Committee, including the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi, James Augoye, Matthew Omonade, Bernard Odior, Charles Emetulu and Blessing Achoja, the Lawmaker sued for better performance in 2025 as Deltans were looking up to better services.

    Apparently not impressed with the low performance figure of the Bureau within the period under review, Hon Nwaobi, enjoined the commissioner to ensure that he speed up action in the coming year in order to key perfectly into the MORE agenda of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

    “I must say that the Committee is not impressed with your performance ratio of Nine per cent in the 2024 budget. That to us, was very poor.

    “In this coming year, you should up your game in order to add impetus to the fiscal consolidation vision of the State Government’s 2025 budget.

    “It is not how far, but how well we are able to go. So, we encourage you to do more in the coming year so that Deltans would benefit from the MORE agenda of His Excellency, the Governor of our dear State.

    “This advice is important because, when you succeed as a Ministry, then, the State would have succeeded,” Nwaobi said.

    The Commissioner Bureau for Special Duties, Terry Etacherure in his Budget defence solicited for additional funds to enable the Bureau perform optimally as expected.

    He said the initial 2.6 billion naira approved was grossly inadequate, even as he promised Deltans of better services in 2025.

    Speaking with Journalists shortly after his budget defence, the commissioner, while blaming the poor performance on poor release of funds, however, lauded the committee for the advice, just as he assured Deltans that 2025 would witness improved performance.

    Other affiliate agencies that  appeared for budget defence under the Ministry include Project Monitoring, Sustainable Development Growth (SDG), Job and Wealth Creation Bureau and Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency.