To ensure the early presentation of the 2026 appropriation bill to the 27-member Imo State House of Assembly, the state government, represented by the various relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), on Tuesday in Owerri, initiated discussions and submissions for the 2026 fiscal year requirements.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu.

The bilateral discussions, according to Ugochukwu, were led by the Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Statistics, Dr. Anselem Anyanwu; and his counterpart in the Ministry of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Dr. Chuck O.N. Chuckuemeka, noting that they captured target development goals through the appropriation focus.

The statement said the interactions were also crafted to engage the MDAs in a comprehensive review of their budget estimates, adding that it was not only realistic but aligned with the development goals of the state.

The statement reported that the Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Statistics, Dr. Anyanwu, said the gathering of the state government’s stakeholders considered the fiscal environment of accountability and transparency in budget execution, emphasising, “This process is essential for refining our budgetary proposals to reflect our state’s priorities and aspirations.”

Also commenting, the Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Dr. Chukuemeka, explained the ministry’s commitment to implementing the 10-year development plan proposed by Governor Hope Uzodimma. He revealed the state’s determination to cease funding “unviable projects and redundant expenses.”

He said: “Our emphasis is on transformative capital projects that yield tangible results. We’ve moved away from carrying forward unfeasible projects or budgeting for redundant expenses.”

The statement explained: “The focus is now on minimising overhead and recurrent costs while prioritising investments in capital projects that are expected to drive significant progress.”

The statement informed that the the discussions centered on meticulous evaluation of the MDAs’ comprehensive proposal that would launch the state to economic stability after going through the scrutiny of the State Executive Council before it is presented to the state legislature, “The discussions involve a meticulous evaluation of MDA proposals, aiming to strike a balance between recurrent and capital expenditures while addressing any discrepancies that may arise. This collaborative approach is intended to consolidate various inputs into a cohesive state budget, which will subsequently be presented to the State Executive Council and forwarded to the State House of Assembly for legislative approval.”

“In summary, the 2026 Budget Bilateral Discussions represent a strategic initiative to align MDA proposals with the long-term developmental objectives of Imo State. This process is crucial for ensuring a transparent, accountable, and effective budget for the forthcoming fiscal year, ultimately contributing to the state’s growth and development,” Ugochukwu clarified.