GOVERNOR UDUAGHAN PRESENTS YEAR 2015 BUDGET PROPOSAL OF N327,682,982,917 TO THE DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

ASABA: The Governor of Delta State Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan this morning presented the Year 2015 Budget proposals to the Delta State House of Assembly. The Governor noted that the 2015 budget would be my last budget since becoming the Governor of Delta State in 2007. Today’s event therefore represents for me, a major milestone in the life of my administration, which has already entered the concluding stages of its tenure.

He reminded the House that “when this administration took over the mantle of leadership in 2007, I pledged to provide a more efficient government that will embody the vision of a politically united, socially integrated, stable, economically prosperous and well-organized State, with equal opportunity for all Deltans. In all modesty I believe we have tried to actualize this pledge given the plethora of infrastructural development and other achievements we have recorded in the socio-economic transformation of our beloved Delta State”.

“Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, after a critical review of our performance, so far, it is refreshing to note that this administration has with the cooperation and understanding of all stakeholders been able to meet some of the critical challenges of our shared vision for Delta State. We can with a good measure of certainty say that this administration has brought peace, tranquility and accelerated development to the State”.

The Governor pointed out that in the years that “we have been in office, we have faced challenges that stretched our resolve. We have worked diligently to deliver on the promises we made despite these challenges. The flood crises of 2012 and the Ebola outbreak this year cannot be easily forgotten. Luckily for us, we have a functional institutional structure that to a great extent helped in addressing these challenges. I am profoundly thankful to God Almighty for His mercy, grace, inspiration and guidance these past seven and half years”.

Dr. Uduaghan noted that “as the present administration is preparing to exit office next year, it is the avowed resolve and determination of this administration to finish strong. In this regard, it is gladdening to underscore that Delta State provides viable investment environment given its comparative advantages as a leading producer of oil & gas. The State is also strategically located and accessible to other parts of Nigeria by any means of transportation. Furthermore, Government has invested heavily in security to create a safe and secure environment. We have a breed of young, educated and active population. Accordingly, we are committed to striving assiduously to deliver on the provision of critical infrastructures which this administration has set out to establish to support investors and improve business environment in our State in pursuit of our vision of Delta Beyond Oil”.

After giving a brief review of the implementation of 2014 budget, the Governor explained that “taking into consideration the vagaries in crude oil prices with its consequences for revenue receipts from the Federation Accounts and the fact that this administration is winding down, I wish to announce a budget proposal of N327,682,982,917 (three hundred and twenty seven billion, six hundred and eighty two million, nine hundred and eighty-two thousand, nine hundred and seventeen naira) for the services of Delta State in the 2015 fiscal year. This amount comprises N161,606,428,928 (one hundred and sixty one billion, six hundred and six million, four hundred and twenty-eight thousand, nine hundred and twenty-eight naira) or 49.32% for Recurrent Expenditure and N166,076,553,989 (one hundred and sixty billion, seventy six million, five hundred and fifty-three thousand, nine hundred and eighty-nine naira) or 50.68% for capital expenditure”.

The Governor shed light on the year 2015 budget proposal, stating that “it shows a decrease of N123,055,244,165 (one hundred and twenty three billion, fifty five million, two hundred and forty-four thousand, one hundred and sixty-five naira) or 27.30% when compared to the year 2014 approved budget of N450,738,227,082 (four hundred and fifty billion, seven hundred and thirty-eight million, two hundred and twenty-seven thousand, eighty-two hundred naira).”   

He spelt out that “the 2015 budget is to be driven by the successes recorded in various sectors of the State’s economy in the past seven years up to the 2014 Budget of Consolidation, Sustainable Economic Growth and Development. The 2015 budget is aimed at consolidating the achievement of 2014 budget as well as completing all on-going projects and programmes that will facilitate the fulfilment of the administration’s goal of making Delta State one of the most industrialized and developed States in Nigeria by 2020. Priority is given to the completion of on-going projects in the areas of rural and urban road network and infrastructure, security of life and property (including logistics support for law enforcement), healthcare and education. Other focal areas are transportation, rural and urban electrification, the environment, agriculture, youths and sports, culture and tourism”.

Dr. Uduaghan expressed his “sincere and deepest gratitude and that of the entire executive arm of this government to you for your support these past years. Indeed, the entire people of Delta State have immensely befitted from the peaceful and cordial relationship between this honourable House and other arms of government. We greet you all. I wish to also use this opportunity to thank all public and civil servants for their untiring and unwavering support these past seven and half years”.

Noting that as the administration steadily and gradually moves towards the termination of this administration, “I want to assure all Deltans that we are leaving behind institutional structures that the incoming administration would build on. We remain dedicated to the promotion of the best interests of our people. We will carefully and strongly follow the path of honour in the pursuit of our objective of providing qualitative infrastructure and services for our people”.

 He emphasized that “having restored peace and security during these past seven years, I wish to remind us all, Mr Speaker, honourable members that we need to sustain the energy and resources in building peace and harmonious co-existence in the State. We are one big family; let us continue to live as one”. He wished the Speaker and Honourable members a Merry Christmas and happy New Year in advance!