By ESE OBOTE-OGWU

Delta State Government, has in the interim, earmarked the sum of N714 billion in the 2024 fiscal year.

The state Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, disclosed this on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, while formally flagging off the 2024 budget presentation/defence by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba.

Ekedayen disclosed further that out of the estimate N714 billion, the sum of N393 billion would be for capital expenditure and the rest for recurrent and other expenditure.

While fielding question from journalists on the performance of the 2023 Budget, the commissioner rated it 70%, explaining that it was an election year.

He said that the state government had stepped up its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N95 billion of last year to N105 billion.

Ekedayen reiterated that the focus of 2024 Budget would be on quality projects that would have direct impact on the lives of the people of the state and that it would hinged on fiscal discipline

He therefore urged MDAs to in line with state government's policy, choose projects carefully that could be executed and finished on time and not just littering everywhere with unfinished or poorly executed projects.

He said: "We will live within our means by taking into account cost effectiveness, efficiency, impactful delivery" and urged MDAs to present budgets aimed at advancing meaningful development, opportunities for all, realistic reforms and enhanced peace and security MORE Agenda of the governor.

Mr Ekedayen also stated that the state government would also, in the 2024 Budget look at areas and sectors that would drive the state economy and make the living standard of the people a little better than what it was before.

The Commissioner informed ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) that the Ministry of Economic Planning would explore the use of monitoring and evaluation, on all ongoing government projects in the state.