Delta Gov Presents N367bn 2019 Budget to Assembly

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Wednesday presented a budget proposal of N367,095,083,451 to the state House of Assembly for the 2019 fiscal year.

The budget projected N209,999,054,198,57.21 for capital expenditure, while N157,096,029,253,42.79 was earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

The 2019 proposal had an increment of N59 billion from the 2018 Budget which was N308,888,558,898.

Presenting the budget to the Delta State House of Assembly presided by the Speaker, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Okowa disclosed that the projected 2019 budget titled: “Budget of sustainable growth,” would enable his administration consolidate on the successes and achievements.

Itemising some of the achievements, Okowa said: “Despite the fluctuating fortunes of the economy in the last three-and-a-half years, I humbly note that our state has continued to forge ahead.

“Workers are paid regularly, thousands of previously unemployed youths are gainfully employed, and many of our people now enjoy better facilities in terms of roads, water, education and health.

“Agriculture has received a strong boost with many cluster farms springing up in different parts of the state and, even more importantly, our people remain committed to peace and harmonious living.

“We shall build on this stable growth to position Delta State as a dynamic economy for the future; indeed, a stronger Delta beckons.”

Road construction and education are to gulp 29 per cent of the budget, with roads getting N79.6 billion, while the education sector would gulp the sum of N26.8 billion.(NAN)