Okpebholo Tables ₦939.85bn 2026 Budget Before Edo Assembly, Signals Focus on Growth.
Governor Monday Okpebholo on Tuesday formally presented a ₦939.85 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, setting out what his administration described as a practical roadmap for growth, stability and public confidence. Lawmakers listened as the document, tagged, Budget of Hope and Growth, was read into the record, marking the first full budget outline of the new administration. According to the proposal, a larger share of the spending plan is reserved for capital projects, with infrastructure, education, healthcare and agriculture placed at the centre. The governor told the Assembly that roads, schools, hospitals and food production would receive priority attention, as the state works to stimulate economic activity and improve daily life for residents. Recurrent expenditure was kept lower in comparison, a move the government said reflects its intention to reduce waste and direct more funds to visible development. Revenue is expected to come from statutory allocations, internally generated income and other lawful sources, with assurances that collection processes will be strengthened. In his address, Okpebholo appealed to lawmakers for cooperation, describing the budget as a shared responsibility rather than an executive document. He said careful oversight and timely passage would help the state move faster in delivering projects and services. The Speaker of the House acknowledged receipt of the budget and assured that the Assembly would study the estimates in detail. Committee work is expected to begin in the coming days, with public interest already building around how quickly the proposal will be debated and approved. For now, the figures sit on the Assembly floor, heavy with expectation, as Edo State waits to see how ambition on paper will translate into action in the year ahead.
Joel Owah | 2025-12-16 14:55:39