The decision followed an emergency executive meeting presided over by Governor Monday Okpebholo. Speaking after the meeting, Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Okoebor, said the revised budget prioritises infrastructure, with capital expenditure now accounting for 70% of the total budget, up from 67%.

“The increment reflects our commitment to infrastructure development. Recurrent expenditure rose by about N12 billion, while capital expenditure increased by N113 billion, about 25% more than before,” Okoebor said. He noted that the increase in recurrent spending was driven by a higher minimum wage and recent employment in the Hospital Management Board.

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Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohombamu, said the revised budget would be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

Earlier, the Assembly had passed a N675 billion budget, up from the N605 billion initially proposed by the governor, after reviewing the report of its Committee on Budget and Project Monitoring. The increase was aimed at supporting the administration’s five-point development agenda.

Source: Punch