By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ebony State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, on Monday, presented a total budget proposal of N884.868 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

Christened the budget as “Budget of Actualisation and Hope,” the governor said it aims to accelerate infrastructure expansion, strengthen human capital, and consolidate ongoing reforms across key sectors.

Presenting the Appropriation Bill at the State Assembly complex, Governor Nwifuru said the budget was crafted in strict alignment with his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs philosophy.

He noted that it reflects the priorities and aspirations gathered from citizens across the state.

With a capital outlay of N749.49 billion, representing 84.7% of the total budget, and a recurrent expenditure of N135.37 billion, the governor said the proposal would drive industrialisation, deepen economic recovery, and elevate the standard of living for Ebonyians.

Governor Nwifuru recalled the inherited debts, unsettled pensions, and longstanding financial obligations that confronted the administration on assumption of office, noting that thousands of pensioners had now received their long-awaited gratuities.

“We restored not just their financial stability but their dignity,” he said, praising the State Assembly for its consistent legislative support”, he said.

Highlighting achievements from the 2025 fiscal year, Nwifuru said over 5,000 Ebonyians benefitted from the state’s empowerment programme, receiving between N1 million and N100 million to support entrepreneurship, trading, and artisanal work.

He added that vocational and agribusiness training has equipped many youths and women with life-changing skills.

“We are building not just roads and schools, but resilient people empowered to be globally competitive,” he said.

The governor disclosed that Ebonyi State had achieved a historic leap in educational development.

He listed some of them as: Establishment of the University of ICT, Oferekpe, with over 20 accredited courses; Commencement of the University of Aeronautic Engineering, Ezza, positioning the state as a rising hub in aviation technology.; Construction of 43 model secondary schools equipped with ICT labs, libraries, and solar power; Award of over 1,000 scholarships for local and overseas postgraduate studies, the largest in the state’s history.

The administration, he noted, has also upgraded general hospitals, recruited additional health workers, and revived the drug revolving fund to ensure the availability of essential medicines.

The governor highlighted the mechanisation of farming across the 13 LGAs, distribution of fertilizers, and support to cooperative farmers.

He announced the ongoing construction of an Ebonyi Feed Mill and the revitalisation of Nkaliki Hatchery, which is expected to create 2,000 jobs.

On infrastructure, Nwifuru reported significant progress on major projects, including the VANCO Flyover and Tunnel, described as a transformative urban project for Abakaliki; Completion of the Iziogo Tunnel and ongoing works at Nwezenyi and Nwofe Junction flyovers and rehabilitation of township roads, rural feeder roads, and bridges across the state.

Governor Nwifuru commended security agencies for maintaining peace and announced that the demarcation of the Effium–Alioma boundary was underway to consolidate lasting peace.

The governor also confirmed progress on the Ebonyi Industrial City, the state-owned cement factory, and the reactivated Waste-to-Wealth Plant in Umuoghara, all geared towards job creation and economic diversification.

Nwifuru said the administration had revived key water schemes, including Oferekpe, Abakaliki Lowlift, and Ezill, while new reservoirs and reticulation works are underway in Iboko and Ivo.

According to the proposal, the Administrative Sector will get N137.37bn (15.52%) while the Economic Sector will get N492.93bn (55.71%)

The Law and Justice sector will get N5.03bn (0.57%), the Regional Sector, N1.56bn (0.18%), and the Social Sector, N247.97bn (28.02%).

Governor Nwifuru said the budget reflects “determination, discipline, and sincerity” despite national economic challenges.

While urging the lawmakers to give the bill accelerated consideration, the governor said the goal is to lift Ebonyi higher and ensure that every citizen feels the impact of the government.