EBONYI: Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has unveiled a budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year, totaling Three Hundred and Ninety-Six Billion, Five Hundred and Eighty-Nine Million, Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Naira (N396,589,009,620.00). The budget, which he presented on Thursday, is focused on driving industrialization, economic growth, and improved living standards for the people of Ebonyi.
According to a statement from his Chief Secretary, Monday Uzor, the budget is structured into five major sectors: Administration, Economic, Social, Regional, and Law & Justice. It is titled the “Budget of Economic and Social Development” and aims to achieve the state’s long-term growth objectives.
The Economic sector receives the largest allocation of N200,132,170,000.00, followed by the Social sector with N141,180,049,000.00. The Administrative sector is allocated N50,947,640,620.00, while the Law and Justice sector gets N4,143,650,000.00. The Regional sector, however, has the smallest allocation, with N185,500,000.00.
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While presenting the budget at the State House of Assembly Complex, Governor Nwifuru highlighted his administration’s ongoing reforms in education, particularly in basic and secondary education, to place a greater emphasis on science and technology. He revealed that the state government is establishing 39 Model Secondary Schools and 39 Model Primary Schools across all 13 Local Government Areas, equipped with modern learning facilities and residential accommodations.
Additionally, Governor Nwifuru mentioned the restoration of both domestic and foreign scholarship programs, benefitting 1,000 students. Currently, 700 students are pursuing their Masters and PhD degrees locally, while 300 others are studying abroad. The government has invested over N13 billion in these programs.
In the area of water and sanitation, the governor outlined efforts to revitalize the state’s water schemes, including the Oferekpe Water Scheme, which, when completed, will provide clean water to several local government areas, including Izzi, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Ikwo, Ezza North, and Ezza South.
Governor Nwifuru also announced that part of the funding for the state’s airport project had been allocated toward the procurement of three aircraft, with the first expected to arrive between December 2024 and January 2025.
He expressed gratitude to the State House of Assembly for their partnership and support in achieving these milestones. The budget also prioritizes key sectors such as Health, Works, Commerce, and Human Capital Development as part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to improve the state’s infrastructure and economic outlook
