Otti Presents N750.2bn 2025 Budget To Abia Assembly

Umuahia, Abia State – December 10, 2024 – Abia State Governor Alex C. Otti has presented an N750.2 billion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

The budget prioritises capital projects and key sectors like education and health while also addressing social welfare needs.

The budget breaks down into N611.6 billion (82%) for capital projects across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and N138.6 billion (18%) for recurrent expenditure, encompassing personnel costs, overhead, debt servicing, and social benefits.

Funding sources include estimated Statutory Allocations (N183.4 billion – a 96% increase from 2024 projections), Value Added Tax (VAT) (N55.2 billion – a 37% increase), Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) (N100.6 billion – a 213% increase), Grants (N25.5 billion – a 55% increase), and Loans (N364.1 billion – a 14% increase).

Significantly, the Governor noted that the state did not utilize any available financial leverage options in the past year.

Key Highlights of the 2025 Budget:

Infrastructure Development: A substantial N55 billion is allocated to road infrastructure, encompassing the construction of 170km of new roads (10km per LGA), as well as the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing road networks.

Education and Health: These crucial sectors will receive a combined 35% of the total budget, mirroring the 2024 allocation (15% for health, 20% for education).

Key projects include the rehabilitation and equipping of four general hospitals, the construction of the Abia College of Health Science and Management Technology’s permanent site in Aba, a new College of Nursing Sciences at Umunneato General Hospital, and new classroom blocks at the School of Nursing and Midwifery Amachara.

Furthermore, N14.6 billion is earmarked for constructing reading rooms and mini-libraries in all 184 wards, and N29.5 billion for perimeter fencing in 262 schools.

Water and Agriculture: N4 billion is allocated to revamp and reticulate the 47km Umuahia Water Scheme pipeline, while N13 billion is set aside for establishing agro-industrial processing zones in Ukwa, Bende, and Umunneochi LGAs.

Social Safety Net: N18.9 billion is dedicated to social benefits, providing crucial support to vulnerable individuals and groups impacted by economic hardship.

The budget proposal will now undergo scrutiny and consideration by the Abia State House of Assembly before final approval.

The Governor expressed confidence that the budget if approved, will significantly contribute to the state’s development and the well-being of its citizens.