Delta State government has budgeted N561,820,596,524 for the 2023 fiscal year, an increase of 17 per cent on that of 2022.

In the budget presented to the House of Assembly for approval, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa pegged the recurrent expenditure at N235,208,340,101 (42 per cent), an increase of N46,996,627,425 (25 per cent) on the 2022 budget of N188,211,712,676.

Also, N326,612,256,423 (58 per cent) was earmarked for capital expenditure, an increase of N82,878,785,613 (17 per cent) on the 2022 budget.

The governor explained that personnel cost will take N91,035,657,320 (39 per cent) of the recurrent, overhead cost N82,083,259,293 (35 per cent) of the recurrent, while social contribution N8,267,230,932 (four per cent), social benefit N5.008 billion (two per cent), domestic loan repayment (principal) N33,813,382,250 (14 per cent), external loan repayment N300 million (0.1 per cent) and grants/contribution N14,700,810,306 (six per cent).

He described the administrative sector as very crucial in the implementation of his policies and programmes, to strengthen the existing institutional framework, build capacity of public servants, ensure value for money, and improve the quality of public service delivery.

According to Okowa, earlier, the sum of N17.7 billion had been earmarked for the Ministry of Higher Education, N5.2 billion from primary education, N1.3 billion for counterpart fund for State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), while the ministries of secondary and technical education are allocated N11.4 billion and N7 billion respectively.

Government committed the money for education to upgrading the facilities in the universities and providing for conducive learning climate, he added.

Notably, the construction of the Medical Sciences Building at University of Delta, Agbor, and Administration Building at School of Marine Technology, Burutu, are expected to commence in 2023.

In the 2023 budget, N111.4 billion was earmarked for the Ministry of Works and N5.9 billion for the Ministry of Urban Renewal.

The Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency and the Warri, Uvwie and Environs Development Agency are to receive N8.3 billion and N8 billion respectively.