Delta State 2024 Budget: Innovative Budget of Hope and Optimism

Delta State 2024 Budget: Innovative Budget of Hope and Optimism.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, today, Wednesday, November 29, 2023, presented a N714.4 billion Appropriation bill for the 2024 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

Governor Oborevwori presenting Appropriation Bill for the 2024 Fiscal Year to lawmakers at the Delta State House of Assembly

The budget, which was christened, ‘Budget of Hope and Optimism,’ according to the governor, was made up of the following:

• Recurrent expenditure of N316.6 billion representing 44 per cent; and
• Capital expenditure of N397.9 billion which represents 56 per cent of the total budget.

The historic 2024 budget proposal, which was the governor’s first budget since coming to office on May 29, 2023, was envisioned to put the economy of the state on the path of sustainable growth, boost investments and productivity, enhance the ease of doing business, and provide ample opportunities for the average citizen to participate in the economy.

The personnel cost of N150 billion provided in the budget, according to the governor, was provided for in anticipation of the domestication of a likely salary increase by the Federal Government sometime in 2024 while the overhead cost mirrors the inflationary trend in the country.

Governor Oborevwori disclosed that his administration will embark on the construction of more critical road infrastructure in the 2024 fiscal year because we are irrevocably committed to advancing urban-rural integration.

“In 2024,” he continued, “we propose to spend N150 billion on Road Infrastructure for the Ministry of Works; N46.55 billion on Education; Health will gulp N18.65 billion; Agriculture, N7 billion and Urban Renewal N7.5 billion.

“Environment will gulp N2.1 billion and Youth Development, N1.7 billion. These key sectors are essential in our 2024 budget.

“This administration is focused, process-driven, and result-oriented in its governance style. The progress that we have made in the last five months should give hope to our people that the goals we have set in this budget will be pursued with similar zeal and dedication.

“Rest assured, this administration is determined to see our people through the hard times, doing all that we can to assist the poor and vulnerable”.

Governor Oborevwori in a group photograph with his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, and members of Delta State House of Assembly

Before leaving the venue of the presentation of the budget, Governor Oborevwori appealed to the lawmakers for a speedy passage of the appropriation bill.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, assured the governor that the House would ensure that the Budget substantially complies with the International Public Sector Accounting Standard, which is aimed at providing efficient internal control and result-based financial management in the public sector of the State.

Delta State 2024 Budget: Innovative Budget of Hope and Optimism. THE END.

By Chief (Engr.)Tony Amechi, Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Investments/Publisher of TonyAmechi.com.