Delta proposes N298.07b for 2018 fiscal year

The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday presented a 2018 budget of N298.07 billion to the state House of Assembly.

Okowa disclosed that the budget of ‘hope and consolidation,’ had an increase of N3.62 billion, or 1.21 per cent compared to the 2017 budget of N294, 457, 040, 477.

He explained that some planned developments in the 2017 budget were hampered by environmental challenges, including climate change.

The governor said the situation had compelled the state to partner the World Bank under a firm called NEWMA.

He disclosed that the state had paid N500 million as mobilisation fee to ensure that the menace was adequately tackled.

Okowa further explained that the government during the period renovated and constructed a total of 1159 classrooms, adding that the 2018 budget would consolidate on the previous achievements.

He disclosed that the paucity of funds had been responsible for the slow pace of development in the state, adding that government was determined, despite its financial challenges, to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

He appealed to oil companies that are yet to relocate to the state to do so, as the environment in the Niger Delta is now ripe for peaceful co-existence.

According to Okowa, N71.3 billion would be generated internally, while statutory allocations, including mineral revenue derivable was projected at N178.1 billion and Value Added Tax estimated at N10.7 billion. Other capital receipts of N37.8 billion, totaling N298.0878 billion was voted to finance the 2018 budget.

A breakdown of the proposal showed that N147, 487, 809, 897, representing 49.48 per cent was budgeted for recurrent expenditure, N150, 590, 669, 000, 50.52 per cent for capital expenditure, while N32, 952.119, 208, 25.20 per cent went into the economic sector.

Social services got N28, 694, 720, 207, or 19.05 per cent, the environment, N34, 251, 858, 990 or 23.41per cent, general administration, N17.691, 970, 595, 11.75 per cent, DESOPADEC, N28, 000, 000.00, 18.59 per cent.

The governor explained that education, agriculture and urban renewal would get N18.7billion, N6.66billion, N1.66billion and N2.22billion, while N3billion was voted for the capital territory development.

Okowa dismissed an allegation by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, that the 2017 budget was not duly signed.

The Deputy Speaker, Friday Osanebi, condemned unfair attacks on the governor and urged the people to join hands with him to move the state forward.