December 17, (THEWILL) — Governor Monday Okpebholo on Tuesday presented a ₦939.85 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill, christened the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” to the Edo State House of Assembly, outlining an ambitious fiscal plan centred on security, infrastructure development and job creation.
Presenting the estimates during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, the governor commended lawmakers for their cooperation, which he said ensured the effective implementation of the 2025 budget and delivered tangible benefits to Edo residents.
Okpebholo disclosed that the 2025 budget recorded strong performance in both capital and recurrent expenditure, while Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) witnessed significant improvement following reforms that blocked leakages and strengthened collection mechanisms. He said these gains shaped the priorities of the 2026 fiscal framework.
On security, the governor said his administration is committed to flushing out criminal elements from the state, noting that cult killings, kidnapping, armed robbery and cybercrime were rampant before he assumed office, with over 300 cult-related deaths recorded in 2024 alone.
To address the challenge, he said the government enacted a tougher anti-cultism law, procured 80 Hilux patrol vehicles and 400 motorcycles, and recruited and trained 2,500 personnel into the Edo State Security Corps, resulting in a drastic reduction in crime.
In the health sector, Okpebholo said the government is rebuilding the system through the construction of new Primary Health Centres, provision of modern diagnostic equipment and the ongoing construction of a 150-bed Specialist Hospital in Edo Central Senatorial District.
On infrastructure, the governor announced the award of 28 new road projects spanning 255 kilometres, including two flyovers in Benin City at Ramat Park and Sapele Road by Adesuwa Junction, described as the first in the state’s history.
He added that several community roads are also under construction to enhance connectivity and ease movement.
Agriculture received a major boost in the 2026 budget, with allocation increasing from ₦6.9 billion to ₦57 billion.
Okpebholo said over 400 hectares of farmland have been cultivated across multiple farm clusters, with harvesting already underway, as part of efforts to tackle food insecurity.
In education, the governor disclosed that 5,000 permanent teachers have been recruited and 63 schools upgraded to modern standards.
He also announced increased monthly subventions to tertiary institutions, with Ambrose Alli University’s allocation raised from ₦41 million to ₦500 million, and Edo State University, Iyamoh, from ₦25 million to ₦250 million.
On economic growth, Okpebholo said his administration inherited substantial foreign and local debts but has begun a gradual reduction process. He disclosed that over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created, alongside the introduction of a ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and traders.
A breakdown of the 2026 budget shows that ₦637 billion, representing 68 per cent, is allocated to capital expenditure, while ₦302 billion, or 32 per cent, is earmarked for recurrent spending.
Funding sources include projected Internally Generated Revenue of ₦160 billion, FAAC allocations of ₦480 billion, capital receipts and grants of ₦153 billion, Public-Private Partnerships valued at ₦146 billion, and other revenue streams.
Sectoral allocations indicate that the economic sector received the largest share of ₦614.2 billion, followed by the administration sector with ₦157.7 billion, the social sector with ₦148.9 billion and the justice sector with ₦19 billion.
Provisions were also made for regional development and support to local government councils.
The governor said the 2026 Budget of Hope and Growth is anchored on the administration’s SHINE Agenda—Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources/Agriculture and Education—aimed at building a prosperous and inclusive Edo State.
The plenary session was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa; the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.; members of the State Executive Council; traditional rulers; civil society organisations; and members of the press.
Okpebholo thanked President Bola Tinubu for reforms he said have boosted revenue to states and expressed appreciation to the Edo State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political appointees and civil servants for their support, before formally presenting the ₦939.85 billion Appropriation Bill to the House for consideration and approval.
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