The Delta State government has announced the approval of its 2025 budget of N936,078,818,719 with a primary focus on advancing agriculture and bolstering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen disclosed this during a press briefing shortly after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborewori on Monday, 11th, 2024.
According to Ekedayen the 2025 budget is 29.12 percent higher than the 2024 allocation, reflecting the administration’s commitment to economic expansion and growth.
The budget proposed N348,717,758,635 for recurrent expenditure, which constitutes 37.25 percent of the total. While a total of N587,361,060,084 is set aside for capital expenditure, amounting to 62.75 percent of the budget, emphasizing the government’s focus on infrastructure and long-term development projects.
The commissioner who was flanked by his counterparts, Ifeanyi Osuoza, Commissioner For Information, Charles Aniagwu, Commissioner for Rural and Riverine roads and Mr. Ebikeme Clark, Commissioner for Directorate of Riverine Infrastructural Development Agriculture pointed that MSMEs are the central priorities in next year’s budget, aiming to stimulate job creation and foster economic resilience.
Other areas the budget would focus on include, youth empowerment, entertainment, healthcare and infrastructure.
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“While we would have liked a more substantial allocation for these sectors, we believe this budget lays a strong foundation,” he stated.
The commissioner, further added that the 2025 budget will be entirely self-funded, with no need for external borrowing, pointing that the state is targeting to generate an estimated N140 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR), which would be used to fund the budget alongside allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Meanwhile the state government has issued a strong warning to contractors handling state projects, especially those that have remained inactive for over a year.
It maintained that contractors whose project has stayed up to one year without mobilizing to cite will be determined forthwith, adding that the state cannot wait for contractors to work at their pace and urged contractors to take advantage of the dry season.
The State Commissioner for Information, Ifeanyi Osuoza who disclosed this said the move aims to ensure that critical infrastructure projects progress swiftly, avoiding further delays that could impact public welfare and economic growth.
This announcement is expected to hold contractors accountable and promote timely project delivery, aligning with Delta State’s renewed focus on sustainable development and efficient resource management.
