The Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has presented a budget proposal of Three Hundred and Ninety-Six Billion, Five Hundred and Eighty-Nine Million, Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Naira (N396,589,009,620.00) for the 2025 fiscal year.
The budget is made up of five major sectors including Administration, Economic, Social, Regional, Law, and Justice.
The Budget christened “Budget of Economic and Social Development” is designed to guarantee industrialization, economic growth, and improved standard of living.
The Economic sector has the highest allocation of 200,132,170,000.00, followed by the Social sector with a total sum of 141,180,049,000.00; Administrative sector receives N50,947,640,620.00; Law and Justice, N4,143,650,000.00 while Regional Sector has the least allocation of N185,500,000.00.
Presenting the budget at the House of Assembly Complex, the Governor noted that his administration introduced many reforms in the curriculum of the basic and secondary education sector to emphasize technology and science.
“To lay the background for the future and restore the hitherto fading glory of public schools, our administration is currently embarking on the establishment of 39 Model secondary schools and 39 Model Primary schools with modern learning and residential facilities across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.”
“We have reintroduced our domestic and foreign scholarship programmes, with a total of 1000 beneficiaries – while 700 are currently pursuing their Masters and PhD degrees locally and 300 beneficiaries are on foreign scholarship. This has cost the Government over N13 billion. “
In the area of Water and sanitation, Governor Nwifuru said that his administration has committed enormous resources towards reviving all the moribund water schemes across the State, particularly the Oferekpe Water Scheme, expressing optimism that when completed and reticulated the scheme will provide water to Izzi, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Ikwo, Ezza North and Ezza South local government areas.
According to the Governor “We are proud to inform Ebonyi people, that in furtherance of our desire to ensure full economic import of our Airport, part
payment for the procurement of three Aircraft has been made, while supply processes are underway. We are expecting that the Aircraft will be on ground between December 2024 and 30th January 2025.”
He commended the State House of Assembly for their partnership which accounted for the successes so far recorded.
Other sectors prioritized in the budget include, Health, Works, commerce and Human Capital Development.
Dr. Monday Uzor
