Abia State Governor, Okezie Otti, has presented the state’s 2025 budget proposal to the State House of Assembly, outlining a comprehensive financial plan aimed at fostering continued development and socio-economic progress. The proposed budget totals N750.28 billion, with the governor highlighting its key focus on sustaining the state’s momentum in growth and development. The budget has been aptly titled “Sustaining The Momentum” and emphasizes both capital and recurrent expenditures that will address the most pressing needs of the state.
A significant portion of the proposed budget, amounting to N611.7 billion, has been allocated to capital projects, constituting about 82 percent of the total budget. This represents a 29 percent increase in capital expenditure compared to the 2024 budget. Meanwhile, recurrent expenditure, including personnel costs, social benefits, and debt servicing, has been set at N138.6 billion, reflecting an increase of approximately 34 percent from last year.
Governor Otti also revealed that N55 billion has been strategically earmarked for various ongoing projects across the state, spanning all 17 local councils. Additionally, N4 billion has been set aside for the revamping of the Umuahia Regional Water Scheme, a key infrastructure project that is expected to significantly improve water supply for the region. These initiatives are part of the governor’s broader vision to uplift the socio-economic conditions of Abia residents.
While presenting the budget, Governor Otti acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the State House of Assembly and the strong partnership between the executive and legislative branches, which he believes has played a crucial role in the state’s recent progress. He emphasized that while the state had not fully met its targets for the 2024 fiscal year, largely due to external challenges, it had nonetheless achieved impressive results in several key governance areas.
In addition to the budget presentation, Okpebholo, a key figure in the state’s agricultural sector, thanked the Speaker and members of the House for their continued support. He highlighted the inclusion of N4.5 billion in the 2025 budget estimates specifically for the agricultural sub-sector, underscoring the government’s commitment to boosting the state’s agricultural capacity and improving the livelihoods of its people.
With these proposals, the Abia State government aims to continue making strides in infrastructure, social development, and economic empowerment, with a particular focus on projects that will have long-term impacts on the state’s overall growth trajectory.
Gathered by: Onoro Promise Edesiri