Tag: 2025 Budget

The Delta Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the state proposed N50 billion in its 2025 budget estimates to enhance road infrastructure in the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.

Aniagwu said this during a budget defence meeting with the Assembly Committee on Works and Special Projects on Wednesday in Asaba.

”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.

Aniagwu further said that his ministry was created out of the defunct Ministry of Works

According to him, the ministry is 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 (Urban  and Highways), 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.

“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.

The Delta State 2025 Appropriation bill on Tuesday scaled second reading on the floor of the Delta State House of Assembly. The bill which came under intense debate by lawmakers, enjoined a unanimous support during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor.

In a motion by the Majority Leader, Honourable Emeka Nwaobi and seconded by the member representing Ika North East, Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, the House read the 2025 appropriation bill the second time.

Leading the debate, the Majority Leader highlighted some major components of the proposed 2025 budget as it focuses on the objectives to include completion of ongoing projects, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Nwaobi maintained that the State Governor, Right Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori through the budget proposal has demonstrated his passion to address the collective needs of Deltans as it relates to critical areas of concern such as agriculture, road infrastructure, health, Education and amongst others.

One after the other, the lawmakers took turns to  speak on the merits of the 2025 appropriation bill and the need for its speedy passage.

Some Lawmakers including Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, Ika North East; Oloye Pereotu, Burutu II; Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Arthur Akpowovwo; Charles Emetulu, Ndokwa West; Bridget Anyafulu, Oshimili South; James Augoye, Okpe and Perkins Umukoro, Sapele argued that the appropriation bill no doubt addresses the needs of Deltans, which they said the Governor Oborevwori’s led administration is committed to deliver through his MORE Agenda.

They explained that the prudent management of the State’s resources by the current administration is a clear indication that the 2025 budget when passed by the House will become realistic.

The bill enjoyed a unanimous support by the lawmakers through a voice vote as the Speaker, Right Honourable Emomotimi Guwor referred the bill the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative consideration and to report back on Tuesday, 26 November 2024.

Delta State Executive Council (EXCO)  Monday approved a proposed budget of N936 billion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Briefing newsmen after the Exco meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, said the proposed budget comprised N587.4 billion, representing 62.75 percent for Capital Expenditure, while N348.7 billion, representing 37.25 percent, is for recurrent expenditure.

Ekadeyan, who was flanked by Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, and his counterparts in Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu and Riverine Infrastructure, Hon. Ebikeme Clark, said the 2025 proposed budget was premised on an exchange rate of N1,300 per dollar.

He said: “The budget size is N936,078,818,719 billion, broken down into capital and recurrent components of N587,361,060,084 billion capital, representing 62.75 per cent, while the recurrent component is N348,717,758,635 billion, representing 37.25 per cent.

“This budget reflects our commitment to key sectors with a balanced approach between recurrent and capital expenditures.

“This 2025 proposal is 29.12% larger than the current year’s budget, demonstrating our dedication to advancing the state’s development.

“Our focus areas remain clear: agriculture; support for micro, small, and medium enterprises; youth empowerment; tourism; entertainment; social safety nets through poverty alleviation; physical infrastructure; healthcare; and education.

“While this provides an overview of the proposed budget, it is still subject to review and will be officially transmitted to the State House of Assembly for further deliberation.”

Ekedayen who remarked that the Oborevwori’s administration is anchored on transparency and accountability, added that the 2025 budget will be 100% organically funded without any borrowing.

“A significant portion of the funding will come from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations, with our internally generated revenue serving as the secondary source.

“To give a clearer perspective, we anticipate that our Internally Generated Revenue will reach at least N140 billion.

“For the 2025 project proposals, this combination of Federal allocation and internally generated revenue will be the primary sources of funding.”

Also speaking, Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, said “Exco approved a range of impactful projects that aim to benefit communities across the State.

“With the two-year anniversary on the horizon, the Council emphasized the importance of future-oriented planning.

“Accordingly, all heads of Ministries, Commissioners, and Permanent Secretaries have been directed to ensure rigorous oversight of their respective projects, with a strict mandate for high standards. There is absolutely no tolerance for substandard or incomplete work.

“The Council also confirmed key appointments, including the appointment of HRM, Dr. Greg N. Oputa, as the Obi of Aboh in Ndokwa East, and Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN, as the Asagba of Asaba Kingdom in Oshimili South Local government area.”

He added that several infrastructure projects were also approved, covering critical areas including Rehabilitation of Ugwhrughelli/Ehidi road and construction of chief Lyn Ivie Akporiche street, Ughelli North LGA and Amechi Aguisi street in Asaba.

“We also approved the construction of oil road/ old Okpe road in Jeddo Okpe Local Government. Exco also approved the construction of Ejeba road extention/Jelink road and the extention/Olomoro road in Isoko South Local Government.”

Commissioner for Works, Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed that Exco directed that contractors whose projects had lasted for more than one year without mobilising to site, would be determined.

He said Exco approved several new roads including the reconstruction of Uzere Asaba-Ase Bridge and adjoining Road in Ndokwa East and Isoko South Local Government Areas of the state.

“Exco also approved six internal roads in Isoko South as well, as Alisimie-Owa-Nta road in Ika North East, while internal roads and drainage were also approved at NYSC Orientation Camp at Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

“We also approved the construction of access road to Airforce base at Osubi Airport, Opete Road by Plantation City to Opete Waterside in Udu Local Government Area among others, Aniagwu said”.

He said the approvals were in line with Governor Oborevwori’s desire to open up the communities for businesses.

On his part, Commissioner for Riverine Infrastructure, Hon. Ebikeme Clark said Exco ratified Governor Oborevwori’s approval for the construction of Model Secondary School in Oporoza and Construction of access road to Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko both in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Clark said: “The Nigerian Maritime University is a Federal institution but the Governor deemed it fit to construct the road connecting the temporary site to the permanent site of the university.

“The people of riverine areas are happy with the Governor and they believe that with time he would do more for them.”