Umahi presents N139b budget to House of Assembly
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, yesterday, presented a budget proposal of N139 billion to the state House of Assembly for the 2023 fiscal year.
Tagged, ‘Budget of Divine Mandate, Consolidation and Continuity, Umahi noted that his government would implement 41.67 per cent, while his successor would implement 58.33 per cent of the budget, adding that N58, 367,774,468.00 is for recurrent expenditure, while capital expenditure stands at ₦80,030,506,172.00.
“The budget estimate is a total of N139, 398,280,640.00.
“This consists of recurrent expenditure of N58, 367,774,468.00, covering 41.87 per cent of the total budget,” Umahi said.
“Personnel cost is N26, 894,384,468.00, covering 19.29 per cent of the total budget.
“Overhead cost is N31, 473,390,000.00, covering 22.58 per cent of the total budget.
“Capital expenditure of N81, 030,506,172.00 covers 58.13 per cent of the total budget estimate,” the governor said.
He further explained that the 2023 budget proposal is 4.13 per cent less than the 2022 original budget, stressing that it is aimed at addressing challenges observed so far in the implementation of the 2022 actual budget.
He said that the proposed budget would commence the setting up of two universities of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) University at Oferekpe, Izzi, and the Aeronautical University at Ezza.
He restated the need for the budget to prioritise areas of education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and Human capital development. He announced that the 2022 Budget has been implemented up to 75 per cent, and expressed satisfaction that his administration is rapidly executing the 199-kilometre Abakaliki Ring Road project in the state.
Responding, the Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, assured the governor of speedy passage of the appropriation bill.
