November 12, 2024 — The Delta State Government has unveiled a proposed budget of N936 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, which has been submitted to the State House of Assembly for review and deliberation. The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, following the State Executive Council meeting, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, at the Government House in Asaba.
Ekedayen, accompanied by the Commissioners for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza; Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu; and Riverine Infrastructure, Mr. Ebikeme Clark, provided an overview of the proposed budget.
Budget Breakdown and Focus Areas
The proposed budget allocates N587.4 billion (62.75%) to capital expenditure and N348.7 billion (37.25%) to recurrent expenditure. Ekedayen emphasized that the budget framework is based on an exchange rate of N1,300 per dollar, a figure that some analysts have questioned due to the Naira’s current exchange rate of over N1,650 to the dollar on the official market.
Despite the concerns over the exchange rate assumption, Ekedayen stated that the budget proposal represents a 29.12% increase compared to the 2024 budget, reflecting the state’s commitment to advancing its development agenda. The focus areas of the 2025 budget include:
- Agriculture
- Support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
- Youth Empowerment
- Tourism and Entertainment
- Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Nets
- Physical Infrastructure
- Healthcare
- Education
“The 2025 proposal reflects our commitment to key sectors, with a balanced approach between recurrent and capital expenditures,” Ekedayen said. He added that the administration is focused on boosting key sectors that will drive sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for citizens.
Funding and Revenue Projections
The Delta State Government has emphasized that the 2025 budget will be funded without borrowing, relying on organic revenue sources. Ekedayen highlighted that a significant portion of the budget would be financed through allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), while internally generated revenue (IGR) would serve as a secondary source.
The Commissioner projected that Delta’s IGR for 2025 would reach at least N140 billion, which, combined with federal allocations, will be sufficient to fund the proposed budget. This commitment to transparency and accountability reflects the administration’s focus on sustainable fiscal management.
“The funding of this budget will be based on allocations from FAAC and internally generated revenue, with no borrowing,” Ekedayen added. “We are confident that our revenue generation strategies will ensure the successful implementation of this budget.”
Next Steps
The proposed budget will now undergo scrutiny by the State House of Assembly, where it will be reviewed and deliberated upon before final approval. If passed, the budget will guide the state’s development agenda for the coming fiscal year, with an emphasis on infrastructure, economic empowerment, and social welfare programs.
With a clear focus on building a more resilient economy and improving the quality of life for its citizens, the Delta State Government’s proposed budget for 2025 is seen as a step toward sustainable development and economic stability in the region.
