When Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, presented the 2025 budget to the State House of Assembly on Tuesday, he was surrounded by a mixture of uncertainty.
During his presentation, the governor pointed out that the proposed budget, which is estimated at N605 billion, represents a 25% increase above the budget for 2024. “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo” is the title of the appropriation bill.
Okpebholo, a member of the All Progressives Congress who defeated Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party and Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party to win the state’s 2024 gubernatorial election, had trouble pronouncing the budget’s numerical value.
As seen in a video on social media, the governor stuttered, “The Edo State 2025 Appropriation Bill of 6 billion… 650… 605 billion… 76 thou… 76 million…
“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me.”
An uproar erupted in the House before the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, called for order, saying, “Order the House, please. Mr Speaker must be heard in silence, please.”
Okpebholo concluded, “605 billion and details of the budget proposed… proposal for your consideration and approval. Thank you for your kind consideration.”
The governor mentioned that N223bn, or 37 per cent of the total N605bn budget, would be dedicated to recurrent expenditure. The remaining N381bn, which represents 63 per cent, is allocated to capital projects.
“This budget is a product of extensive consultations and embodies my administration’s commitment to achieving its five-point agenda: security, infrastructural development, healthcare, food sufficiency and education.
“We are aware of the critical need to connect communities with motorable roads for rapid economic growth. The construction of the iconic Ramat Park fly-over, the first of its kind in the state, marks a significant step towards transforming Benin City from an ancient city into a modern one,” he stated, among others.
In his remark, the speaker said, “We will collaborate with your Excellency to ensure that the people of Edo enjoy the dividends of democracy.”
