Edo Govt Proposes N605.7b for 2025 Fiscal Year

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, presented the sum of N605.7 billion Appropriation to the State House of Assembly for consideration which contained the revenue and expenditure projections for the 2025 Fiscal Year.

Presenting the proposed budget to the state lawmakers which contained the revenue and expenditure for the 2025 budget, he said the Appropriation contain a 25% increase from the 2024 Budget.

According to him, 37% of this sum, amounting to N223 billion, would be dedicated to Recurrent Expenditure while the remaining N381 billion, which represents 63%, will go into capital projects.

He also disclosed that the proposed budget is designed to achieve the goals of his five-point agenda. Which are: Security, Infrastructural Development, Healthcare, Food sufficiency and Education.

Giving a breakdown of the expenditure, Governor Okpebholo said road infrastructure will gulp the sum of N162b; education, N48b; health, N63.9b; and agriculture, N4.5b.

The Edo governor who did not put any figure on security and community/development, however, stated that his administration recently purchased 20 patrol vehicles to assist the security personnel in their work with plan to purchase more in the coming year.

His words: “With gratitude to God and a great sense of responsibility, I stand before the Honourable Members in this hallowed chamber to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill, which contains the revenue and expenditure proposals for the 2025 Fiscal Year.

“The proposed Appropriation Bill is a product of wide consultations. It will ensure accountability and transparency in governance for responsive service delivery to the people of Edo State.

“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.

Continuing, he said, “We have also prepared this budget appropriation with the aim of achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government.

“Therefore, we have condensed the programmes into the State Development Plan, which will remain the basis for my administration in the year 2025.

Let me at this stage present the highpoints of the Year 2025 Budget tagged “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo.”

Highlighting the 2025 budget he added: “I am happy to announce that what we are presenting to you here for your kind consideration, contains specific projects that align with our slogan of a New Edo is rising.

“Highlights of the 2025 budget are as follows Mr. Speaker: road infrastructure, N162 billion; education, N48B billion; health, N63.9 billion; and agriculture culture N4.5 billion.

“On security and community development, my 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.

“Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, I have highlighted the major policy objectives of the 2025 budget, aimed at uplifting the socio-economic conditions of our people.

“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.

“Mr. Speaker and Honourable members, it is now my pleasure and honour to present to you, the Edo State 2025 Appropriation Bill of N605,076,065,857.34 billion and details of the budget proposals for your consideration and approval. Thank you for your kind attention.”