Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, has presented to the State House of Assembly, a budget estimate of N202.127 billion for the 2024 fiscal year.
The appropriation bill, tagged: “Budget of Innovation and Progress” according to the governor is expected to address the diverse aspirations of the people in the areas of education, health, agriculture, ease of doing business, water supply, affordable housing, critical infrastructure among others.
Nwifuru said that the budget consists of Recurrent Expenditure of N69.3 billion covering 34% of the total budget.
He stated that personnel cost stands at N28.162 billion while overhead cost stands at N41.473 billion adding that Capital Expenditure has a total budget of N132.804.740 billion covering 66%of the total budget.
Governor Nwifuru who laid emphasis on the economic and social sector in the budget noted that while the economic sector is expected to gulp the sum of N90.302 billion, the social sector will gulp the total sum of N66.198 billion.
The governor said under the social sector, the Ministry of Education has a total budget of N46.055 billion with 22.78% while Health has a total budget of N13.387 billion, which stands at 6.62%. Youth and Sports has a total of N5.030 billion which is 2.40%.
In the economic sector, the Ministry of Works and Transport has the highest allocation with the sum of N21.946 billion which is 10.75 percent of the total budget while Agriculture Ministry has N8.322 billion which is 4.08 percent.
Governor Nwifuru maintained that through the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, the state is reducing the financial burden of healthcare on civil servants adding that the state is also offering a lifeline to families striving for a healthy future.
“By covering the health Insurance premiums of identified vulnerable citizens, we extend a compassionate hand to those who need it most. These initiatives are not abstract; they are stories of lives changed, futures secured, and communities thriving,” he said.
He said the essence of his administration’s commitment to education goes beyond bricks and mortar; „it lies in the dreams of every child who now has access to quality learning environments. Picture a student in a rural community, now equipped with the tools and facilities necessary to unlock their full potential.”
Governor Nwifuru said that the ongoing move to construct 39 duplexes, 3 duplexes in each local government area with 12 classrooms, is not just a mere political achievement, it is an investment that will shape the future leaders of Ebonyi State.
„As we prioritize the construction of 140 Housing Units in Izzo and Amaeze communities, we are not just building structures; we are fostering a conducive environment for the people, ensuring that they are well-placed to guide and inspire generations to come.
„These endeavors are not mere statistics; they are narratives of empowerment, enlightenment and the boundless possibilities that education opens for our youth,” he added.
