Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has presented a record-breaking budget proposal of ₦971 billion for the 2025 fiscal year to the Enugu House of Assembly.
Titled the "Budget of Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity," this financial plan marks the largest in the state's history, reflecting a bold vision for economic advancement and public welfare.
The proposed budget allocates a substantial 86% to Capital Expenditure, amounting to ₦837.9 billion, while Recurrent Expenditure is set at ₦133.1 billion, representing 14% of the total.
This allocation strategy shows a shift from typical state budgets where recurrent costs often overshadow capital investments. As one observer noted, "The proposed budget looks quite different from average Nigeria state budget where recurrent expenditures exceed capital budget."
Education emerges as a top priority, receiving over 33% of the budget, which translates to an impressive ₦320.6 billion.
This focus aligns with Governor Mbah's commitment to eradicating poverty and fostering a knowledge-based economy. "Education is both our ‘sword’ and ‘shield’ in this battle to achieve economic growth in our state and banish poverty and want among our population," Mbah emphasized.
The budget also highlights a remarkable increase in the state's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), projected to rise from ₦37.4 billion in 2023 to ₦144.7 billion by September 2024.
This 286.2% surge reflects the administration's strategic efforts to reduce reliance on federal allocations and bolster local economic resilience.
Despite these challenges, the Enugu State House of Assembly has promised swift passage of the budget, recognizing the governor's leadership and developmental strides. Speaker Hon. Uchenna Ugwu assured, "The House of Assembly shall expeditiously consider this and give you the legal framework to continue flying high."
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