By Anne Azuka
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Thursday presented a N936,078,818,719 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.
Governor Oborevwori stated that the budget, dubbed the ‘Budget of Fiscal Consolidation,’ consists of recurrent expenditure of N348,717,758,635 billion, representing 37.25% of the total budget, and capital expenditure of N587,361,060,084, representing 62.75%.
He noted that the 2025 budget is N211 billion higher than the N725 billion approved for 2024, reflecting a 29% increase.
The Governor attributed the increase to the realignment of the exchange rate, which led to higher FAAC allocations and increased revenues. He also mentioned a significant improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenues during the year.
“The 2025 budget includes several initiatives aimed at mitigating the effects of the fuel subsidy removal and the associated economic challenges,” he said. “These initiatives will strengthen our social protection interventions, rural infrastructure, agriculture and food security, the agro-value chain, and MSMEs.”
The Governor emphasized that the 2025 Budget focuses on providing physical infrastructure, human capital development, job creation, wealth generation, and poverty reduction in the state.
“The state government aims to achieve these goals through prudent resource management, prioritizing expenditures on health, education, agriculture, water resources, the environment, housing, and women and youth empowerment programs,” he added.
In the proposed budget, N230 billion is allocated for road infrastructure; N67.42 billion for education; N30.55 billion for health; N11.03 billion for water resources; and N7 billion for agriculture.
Governor Oborevwori urged the lawmakers to expedite the passage of the appropriation bill.
In his remarks, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, praised the Governor for his pragmatic governance, which has led to unprecedented development in the state. He also commended the Governor for completing inherited projects from the previous administration.
Speaker Guwor lauded Governor Oborevwori for his fiscal discipline and the value for money demonstrated by returning over N500 million to the state coffers during his time as Speaker, as well as saving over N14 billion for Local Government Councils across the state.
He called on the Governor to institutionalize pre-budget planning sessions between the Executive and the Legislature to better balance priorities within available resources.
The Speaker also urged all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government to cooperate with the House Committees during the budget defense sessions to ensure a smooth and timely passage of the budget.
The motion for the adoption of the budget was moved by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, Member representing Ika North East Constituency.
The budget presentation was witnessed by State Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme and members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere, among others.
