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The Delta State Government has unveiled a proposed budget of N936 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, raising concerns about the state’s increasing debt burden amidst ongoing challenges related to exchange rates.
During the opening ceremony of the budget defense in Asaba, the state capital, Commissioner for Economic Planning Sunny Ekedenyen highlighted the difficult economic conditions affecting the state and urged citizens to adapt to the current realities.
“This year’s budget defense will be more interactive compared to last year. We are working towards the governor’s MORE agenda, and any agreements reached during these sessions will be forwarded for implementation,” Ekedenyen stated.
He emphasized that the state government would adopt a “strict and realistic” approach, ensuring that budget proposals align with the governor’s vision.
Addressing the impact of the prevailing economic situation, he remarked, “We are experiencing a double-edged sword of exchange rate fluctuations and subsidy removal, making it a challenging period for the state.”
Ekedenyen revealed that Delta’s revenue-to-debt ratio over the past year stood at 97%, indicating that nearly all of the state’s earnings were consumed by debt obligations. He further clarified that the 2025 budget proposal was based on actual receipts from June 2024 to the present, reflecting the state’s financial constraints.
