Edo: Gov. Okpebholo Presents N605 Billion 2025 Appropriation Bill To Assembly

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Earmarks N223 for recurrent, N381bn for capital expenditure

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, presented a budget estimate of N605 billion for the 2025 fiscal year before the State House of Assembly.

Governor Okpebholo, while presenting the Appropriation Bill, said it is a 25 percent increase from the 2024 Budget.

Tagged “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo”, Okpebholo said that 37% of this figure amounting to N223 billion, will be dedicated to recurrent expenditure, while the remaining N381 billion, which represents 63%, will go into capital projects.

The Governor said the proposed Bill is a product of wide consultations, adding that it will ensure accountability and transparency in governance for responsive service delivery to the people of Edo state.

The Governor said; “The 2025 Proposed Budget is designed to achieve the goals of my five-point agenda. Which are: Security, Infrastructural, Development, Healthcare, Food sufficiency and Education.

                                                           

“We have also prepared this budget appropriation with the aim of achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government. We have condensed the programmes into the State Development Plan, which will remain the basis for my administration in the year 2025.

“Mr. Speaker, the proposed budget size for 2025 fiscal year is N605 billion. This is a 25% increase from the 2024 Budget. 37% of this sum, amounting to N223 billion, will be dedicated to Recurrent expenditure while the remaining N381 billion, which represents 63%, will go into capital projects,” he said.

On road Infrastructure, Governor Okpebholo said that the plan of his administration is to make a huge difference in the sector, saying; “We have appropriated N162 billion for road development across the state”.

He further said; “We are aware of the importance of connecting communities with motorable roads for rapid economic growth. Driving from one senatorial district to another, and from one community to another has become very difficult in the recent past.”

The Governor said his administration wants to correct this and improve upon the roads that make Edo State the gateway to other parts of the country, adding that his government is going to enhance the status of Benin City, the state capital from being an ancient city to a modern one.

According to him; “It was in this regard that I flagged off the construction of the iconic Ramat Park Fly-over, which will be the first of such in the state”.

He said under education, his administration has kept the obligation to revisit the education sector and improve the deplorable condition of schools from primary, secondary to tertiary.

“We are all living witnesses to the regrettable condition of our tertiary schools in the past eight years. My administration shall be providing N500 million monthly subvention to the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, to ensure its revival from the ashes over time.

“We shall ensure continuous improvement in the administration of other tertiary institutions. The sum of N48bn is provided in the 2025 budget to accomplish this promise”.

In the area of Security and Community Development, Senator Okpebholo said his administration is also powered by the drive to bring about peace and harmony in all parts of the State.

“We shall put our energies to ensure hostilities between communities are resolved. My administration has recently purchased 20 patrol vehicles to assist the security personnel in their work and we plan to purchase more in the coming year. The ban on the activities of the Edo State Vigilante has been lifted.

“On healthcare, N63.9 billion has been earmarked for 2025 fiscal year. We are currently reviewing the Health Sector Initiatives, to ensure that health is accessible and affordable. With the commitment to increase access to quality healthcare, N1.8 billion has been set aside for the Health Insurance.

“Agriculture plays a pivotal role in food production as well as revenue generation and job creation. It is, therefore, the desire of this administration to strengthen the agricultural sector, particularly in the areas of farm mechanization. We shall take special attention to the security of our farmers and ensure our farmlands are safe.

“Accordingly, the sum of N 4.5 billion has been proposed in the Year 2025 budget estimates for the agricultural sub-sector”.

Governor Okpebholo while thanking the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly, said that he has highlighted the major policy objectives of the 2025 budget, aimed at uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the people.

He said; “Let me once again renew my deep appreciation to this honourable House for the cooperation and support extended to this administration since inception.

“I want to sincerely appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his forthright leadership as well as the timely intervention in our state, in road construction, education, workers welfare and a whole lot more,” he said.

In his remarks, the speaker Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, thanked the Governor for the presentation and assured him that the house will work with relevant stakeholders to ensure speedy passage of the Bill.

Agbebaku said; “I urge all MDAs and Ministries to provide the necessary documents to ensure speedy passage of the budget. We will work with you, Your Excellency to make sure Edo people enjoy the dividends of democracy”.

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