Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon (Mrs.) Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, has said that the unquenching appetite for more infrastructural development led to the increase of the 2025 state budget from 936.1 billion to 979.2 billion naira by the House.
Speaking shortly after the third reading and passage of the Appropriation Bill, Hon Okowa-Daramola, said the 2025 budget is that of ‘Hope’ as Deltans will witness more physical infrastructural growth across the State.
The Lawmaker who represents Ika North East Constituency, explained that the House saw the need to give more attention to capital expenditure which is a priority focus for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, hence the increase to 630.461 billion naira from 587.361 billion naira.
She said the 43.1 billion naira increase is 7.34% over the original proposed capital expenditure budget estimate forwarded to the House by Governor Oborevwori.
Disclosing that the recurrent expenditure was amended by 50 million naira, from 348.717 billion to 348.767 billion, which is 0.014% over the proposed recurrent expenditure, Hon Okowa-Daramola said the increment in capital expenditure is aimed at improving infrastructural development in the three senatorial district of the State.
According to the Lawmaker, Governor Oborevwori is committed to massive development of infrastructure in the State, adding that the State Assembly also saw the need to give him support to succeed.
She pointed out that the amendment was majorly in the Economic Sector which caters for rural, riverine and urban roads, adding that good road infrastructure would always boost productivity and socio-economic growth in the state.
“We have an increase 43.1 billion for capital expenditure and 50 million recurrent expenditure. As we all know, one of the priority focus of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration is infrastructural development and we as a house also saw the need to expend more for capital expenditure across the three senatorial district.
“This amendment was mostly done in the economic sector where you have both ministries of rural and urban roads to cater for, and you know the importance of more roads in the state. It boost economic development.
“We also had amendment in riverine infrastructure because we saw the need to for more connectivity for those in the riverine areas of the State”, Hon Okowa-Daramola stated.
The Lawmaker expressed optimism that the State government with the passed 2025 Appropriation bill, will perform more than it did in the outgoing year, 2024 saying that Deltans should hope for the best in the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
She said “For us, the budget is a Budget of Hope, we are very optimistic that the State government will out perform what they have done in 2024.
“We hope for the best and we know that His Excellency is very dedicated to the welfare of Deltans. So I believe that there is MORE for the people of Ika North East and more for Deltans”, Okowa’s daughter, Marylyn added.
