Rt. Hon. Alabi Bliss Oshionogue, Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area (LGA), has presented the Council’s draft budget estimate for the year 2025 to the Legislative Arm for review and approval.
The proposed budget, totaling ₦6,864,525,914.61 (six billion, eight hundred and sixty-four million, five hundred and twenty-five thousand, nine hundred and fourteen Naira, sixty-one Kobo), is christened the “2025 Peoples’ Budget” and aims to consolidate ongoing developmental initiatives within the LGA.
During the presentation, Rt. Hon. Oshionogue expressed his appreciation to the Council’s legislators, staff, and stakeholders for their collaboration in driving development. He also lauded Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, for creating an enabling environment that fosters sustainable growth in the area, emphasizing his administration’s alignment with the Governor’s SHINE agenda.
The Chairman outlined the budget’s key components, stating that it builds upon the foundation laid by the 2024 budget, focusing on projects that directly impact the lives of residents. Revenue projections for 2025 include an opening balance of N7,856.46, N124,640,000.00 from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), N2,070,278,058.15 from Statutory Allocation (Federal), N4,604,500,000.00 from Value Added Tax (VAT), N35,000,000.00 from Excess Crude Allocation, and N25,000,000.00 in grants from donor agencies.
According to Rt. Hon. Oshionogue, the Recurrent and Capital Expenditures are both set at N6,864,425,914.51, with a focus on stimulating economic growth. Specific areas of investment include the procurement of fertilizers and farm equipment, purchase of day-old chicks and pigs, installation of transformers and solar panels, renovation of open and lock-up stores, and the establishment of small-scale and medium industries.
Furthermore, the Chairman highlighted plans for significant infrastructure development, including road grading, bulldozing, and asphalting with drainages, as well as erosion control research. A substantial 23.36% of the budget is earmarked for the renovation of primary schools, primary healthcare centers, skills acquisition centers, and staff quarters for magistrate and customary courts, as well as the purchase of office equipment.
Responding to the presentation, the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon. Nicholas Akosile Imashimi, assured the Chairman of their commitment to providing the budget with the necessary consideration and swift passage. He affirmed their dedication to supporting the Council Boss’s efforts to continue developmental projects across the LGA for the overall benefit of the community.
