The Delta Government says it has reduced its legacy debt from N463 billion to N63 billion, with plans to clear the outstanding balance by the first quarter of 2027.
The Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, disclosed this at the state’s 2026 budget stakeholders’ engagement held on Friday in Asaba.
Ekedayen said the achievement reflected the administration’s commitment to prudent financial management and responsible utilisation of public resources.
He said that the government would prioritise roads and critical infrastructure in the 2027 budget to stimulate economic growth and improve access to communities across the state.
According to him, the current expenditure structure allocates approximately 70 per cent to capital projects and 30 per cent to recurrent expenditure.
He added that the proposed 2027 budget would sustain the emphasis on capital expenditure while maintaining a smaller allocation for recurrent spending.
Stakeholders, however, urged the government to broaden its development priorities to include agriculture, youth employment, digital technology and affordable housing.
The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, called on the government to prioritise agriculture and youth employment in its budgetary planning.
He also emphasised the importance of citizens’ participation in budget preparation and commended the government for its reported budget performance.
Azinge urged the administration to sustain its commitment to budget implementation.
He proposed that communities should prepare and submit their own budgets to reflect their specific developmental needs.
According to him, the Asaba community was preparing its budget for submission to the Ministry of Economic Planning by Monday.
He said that the submissions would enable the government to identify community priorities and determine how best to accommodate them.
“This route will help us achieve not just a good budget for our people but also take into consideration, the wishes of the people,” he said.
Similarly, civil society organisations (CSOs) urged the government to prioritise digital technology, affordable housing and environmental sustainability.
The Founding Coordinator of the Delta State Civil Society Actors Community, Mr Okezie Odugala, called for stronger partnerships among government, civil society and the private sector.
Odugala cited Goal 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which promotes partnerships for sustainable development.
He said the state’s four public universities could serve as centres for digital technology development and youth skills acquisition.
Odugala called for increased investment in artificial intelligence, research and innovation to strengthen the state’s competitiveness in the global economy.
On environmental sustainability, he expressed concern over rapid urbanisation, population growth and indiscriminate tree felling in Asaba.
Odugala urged the government to strengthen climate adaptation efforts through tree planting, improved rural roads and sustainable infrastructure.
He also identified erosion and other environmental challenges along the Obanassa-Asaba axis as requiring urgent attention.
The CSO leader welcomed plans by the Delta House of Assembly to introduce legislation regulating housing issues.
He urged residents to protect public facilities and maintain environmental cleanliness to complement government infrastructure investments.
Odugala expressed concern over indiscriminate waste disposal around the Warri flyover and the dumping of refuse in drainage channels.
“Government cannot continue to build infrastructure, then citizens begin to destroy them,” he said.
He also commended the government for introducing the 13th-month salary, describing it as a significant milestone.
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