Budget Proposal as Oborevwori Outlines Ambitious Development Agenda
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday presented a record N936,078,818,719 Appropriation Bill for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, signalling a bold vision for infrastructure development, social protection, and economic resilience.
Tagged the “Budget of Fiscal Consolidation”, the proposal allocates N348.7 billion (37.25%) to recurrent expenditure and N587.3 billion (62.75%) to capital expenditure. Governor Oborevwori noted that the 2025 budget exceeds the 2024 fiscal allocation of N725 billion by N211 billion, reflecting a 29% increase.
The Governor attributed this growth to realignment of the exchange rate, leading to higher allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He stated, “The 2025 budget contains several initiatives planned to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and address the attendant economic challenges. These include enhanced social protection interventions, rural infrastructure development, food security, and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).”
Governor Oborevwori outlined key spending priorities, highlighting infrastructure, human capital development, job creation, and poverty reduction. “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,” he added.
He appealed to the Assembly for the speedy passage of the budget, noting its strategic importance to advancing the administration’s development agenda.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, praised Governor Oborevwori’s pragmatic governance and fiscal discipline, which he credited for sustaining development and ensuring value for money. He commended the Governor for continuing and completing inherited projects and for returning over N500 million to state coffers during his tenure as Speaker.
Guwor also called for institutionalisation of pre-budget planning meetings between the Executive and Legislature to balance priorities within available resources. “This collaboration will ensure seamless consideration and timely passage of the budget,” he said, urging Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to cooperate fully during budget defence sessions.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, moved the motion for adoption of the budget, seconded by Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola of Ika North East Constituency.
The presentation was attended by Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere, and other dignitaries. The ambitious budget sets the stage for another chapter of transformative growth in Delta State under Governor Oborevwori’s leadership.
