Governor Uduaghan budgets N391b for 2014 fiscal year

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has presented a N391 billion-budget proposal for the 2014 fiscal year to the state legislature with an assurance that his administration will finish strongly.

Tagged, budget of 'Consolidation, Sustainable Economic Growth And Development,' Uduaghan disclosed that the amount 'comprises N159.78 billion or 48.8 per cent for recurrent expenditure and N231.72 billion or 59.1 per cent for capital expenditures.'

The governor, who was accompanied by his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Peter Nwaoboshi, and top government functionaries to the House of Assembly complex for the budget presentation, stated that the budget was designed to sustain the drive towards the Delta State beyond oil initiatives.

According to him, 'the main focus of year 2014 budget is to sustain the drive towards Delta State beyond oil initiative; we have in this respect put together a budget and business plan with the objectives and priorities we set out in the three point agenda.

'Emphasis in 2014 shall be on the completion of ongoing key projects given the size of carryover projects,' the Governor said, adding, 'this is a result oriented strategy, wherein an allocation to budget heads are tied to performing projects and programmes that can sustain development.'

It is worthy to note that a budget of N472.006 billion with a recurrent expenditure of N156.403 billion and a capital budget of N315.602 billion was approved for the 2013 fiscal year.

'I want to restate our very strong desire to finish strong and with 2014 being the last full year of this administration in office, Deltans are desirous that the promises and hopes we have raised should be kept,' the governor said, reiterating, 'we are determined that it should be so.'

He added, 'I believe we will finish strong because we have to a large extent restored public confidence in government, we have created credible institutions of governance, we have enacted friendly and conducive environment for anyone to fulfil their God-given potential, this has given our people hope of bright and happy future.'

He assured Deltans that his administration will act competently and ensure that public finances are managed in the best possible way, noting, 'our people expect at all times good judgement and discretion from the government it elected and none of us can rest or sleep peacefully until economic uncertainty, unemployment and poverty are tackled.

'The new vision today is 'Delta Beyond Oil' and this is gradually sinking into the hearts and minds of all Nigerians, the song now is 'Nigeria Beyond Oil' and we should be proud that Delta State set the pace for this nation to look beyond oil,' the Governor said.

The Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, thanked Uduaghan for the timely presentation of the budget and assured that the legislature would give deserved attention to the budget proposal.