….tags it “Budget of Sustained Growth and Consolidation”.
The Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has on Tuesday, 7th of December presented an estimate of One Hundred and Eighty Six Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty Five Million, One Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy Naira (N186, 635, 135, 770) 2022 budget to the State House of Assembly.
Dr. Ugwuanyi unveiled that although the 2022 budget estimate is 9.9% higher than the 2021 budget, the projections are based on the economic and fiscal updates of National Inflation Rate of 13%; National Real GDP Growth of 4.2%; Oil Price Benchmark of $57 per barrel and Exchange Rate of N410.15 per US Dollar.
He also noted that out of the total budget size, the sum of Seventy One Billion, Four Hundred and Seventy Seven Million, Four Hundred and Forty Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twelve Naira (N71,477,449,812.00) which represents 38% of the total budget is for Recurrent Expenditure while the sum of One Hundred and Fifteen Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Seven Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy Naira (N115,157,685,770.00) representing 62% of the budget size is for Capital Expenditure.
Governor Ugwuanyi reiterated that the 2022 budget covers the completion of all ongoing capital projects; purchase of 10 tractors and other agricultural equipment to aid mechanized farming in the state; provision of agricultural inputs, infrastructure and upgrading of wet markets for production and enhanced food processing (NG-CARES); using the Agro processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) for Capacity Building, Women/Youth Empowerment, and Development of Farmers’ Aggregation and Processing Centres; purchase of Waste Disposal Compactor Trucks and dumpsters to enhance urban cleanliness; and launch of the 4th edition of Traders Empowerment scheme for 57 major urban and rural markets in Enugu State.
He further listed other key deliverables of the 2022 budget to include: establishment of facility centers for industrial processing of value chain for palm oil, cassava and cashew nut in Enugu State; construction of Ibagwa – Itchi, Iheaka – Iheakpu-Awka Roads in Igbo Eze South Local Government Area; rehabilitation of Agbani Road-Police College-Gariki Flyover Road (By Port Harcourt Expressway); construction of Bridges/River crossings over Ogurugu River, Adada River and River Obinna in Uzo-Uwani LGA, Ike River in Aninri LGA, Ogbafun River, Agu Idume in
Nkanu East LGA amongst others; rehabilitation of basic schools across the 17 LGAs of the State; construction of Type III Primary Healthcare facilities in Oji River, Awgu and Aninri LGAs; completion of ongoing key infrastructure for the take-off of College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital, Enugu State University of Science & Technology, Igbo Eno; and drilling, rehabilitation and reticulation of Water Boreholes in Communities across the State; rehabilitation and upgrading of Recreational Parks (Eze, Onwudiwe and Coal Camp); upgrading and improvement of Enugu Urban Water Supply and Distribution System through the AFD-funded 3rd National Urban Water Sector Reform Project (3rd NUWSRP); construction of Court buildings to include three (3) High Court buildings in three (3) Judicial divisions – Udi, Orba and Amagunze, six (6) Magistrate Courts buildings in Amechi Idodo, Nike, Orba, Nara, Ozalla and Awhum, Enugu State; perimeter Fencing, Landscaping and Furnishing of thirty-four (34) Customary Courts already built across the State; bulk Purchase of Electricity Distribution Transformers (500KVA and 300KVA) to upgrade and replace the failed ones in the rural communities of the State; construction of Oji River Township Stadium, Oji River LGA, and establishment of additional Enugu State Technology Hub and Innovation Centre at 9th Mile, Udi LGA.
The Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi lauded His Excellency for his doggedness in the achievement recorded in 2021 budget despite the crippling effects of the pandemic, dwindling revenue, effects of the IPOB Sit-at-home among other challenges.
Present at the event were Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Member representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo, State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Augustine Nnamani, Members of the State Executive Council, Council Chairmen, Traditional Rulers led by the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, Former State Chairmen of PDP, Chief Engr. Vita Abba and Chief Ikejeu Asogwa, Honourable Commissioners: Budget; Dr. Ugwunta, David Okelue, Finance; AdaOnah Kene-Uyanwune; Science and Tech; Sir, Obi Kama,Permanent Secretaries, Civil Service Organizations, Youth Groups, Women Group and other top government officials.