Oborevwori presents 2024 appropriation bill of N714.4bn to Delta assembly

Delta State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, presented a N714.4 billion appropriation bill for the 2024 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly on Wednesday.

Governor Oborevwori disclosed that the budget, named ‘Budget of Hope and Optimism,’ comprised recurrent expenditure of N316.6 billion, representing 44 per cent, and capital expenditure of N397.9 billion, representing 56 per cent of the total budget.

He said that the 2024 budget proposal, his first since assuming office, aimed to steer the economy towards sustainable growth, enhance investments and productivity, improve the ease of doing business, and create ample opportunities for citizens to participate in the economy.

Governor Oborevwori added that the personnel cost of N150 billion allocated in the budget anticipated a possible salary increase by the Federal Government in 2024, while the overhead cost mirrored the inflationary trend in the country.

Oborevwori said, “This administration will embark on the construction of more critical road infrastructure in the 2024 fiscal year because we are irrevocably committed to advancing urban-rural integration.

“In 2024, we propose to spend N150 billion on road infrastructure for the ministry of works; N46.55 billion on education, N18.65 billion on health, N7 billion on agriculture, and N7.5 billion on urban renewal.

“Environment will gulp N2.1 billion and youth development, N1.7 billion. These key sectors are very essential in our 2024 budget.

“This administration is focused, process-driven, and result-oriented in its governance style. The progress that we have made in the last five months should give hope to our people that the goals we have set in this budget will be pursued with similar zeal and dedication.

“Rest assured, this administration is determined to see our people through the hard times, doing all that we can to assist the poor and vulnerable.”

He appealed for the speedy passage of the appropriation bill by the lawmakers.

Earlier in his remarks, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor, said the budget presentation was historic as it was the first budget being presented by the governor, who was the immediate past Speaker of the House.

Guwor said the House would ensure that the budget substantially complies with the International Public Sector Accounting Standard, which is aimed at providing efficient internal control and result-based financial management in the public sector of the state.